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MR.  FREEMAN  PREACHING  TO  CORINTCHIE. 


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MISSIONS 


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westejM-^ekica 


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INCLUDING 


MR.  FREEMAN'S  VISIT  TO  ASHANTEE. 


FROM  THE  LONDON  WESLEYAN  METHODIST  MAGAZINE. 


TSit to  IJork  : 

PUBLISHED  BY  CARLTON  & PORTER, 

SUNDAY-SCHOOL  UNION,  200  MULBERRY-STREET, 


1 VY*- 


i 


MISSIONS  IN  WESTERN  AFRICA. 


CHAPTER  I. 

Introduction  to  Mr.  Freeman's  Ashantee  Journal- 
Cape  Coast  Castle— The  Fantee  country — And  the  king- 
dom of  Ashantee. 

It  is  with  feelings  of  the  deepest  and  most 
anxious  interest  that  we  commence  our  “ no- 
tices” for  the  new  year,  by  presenting  to  the 
friends  of  the  Wesleyan  Missionary  Society, 
and  to  the  Christian  public  at  large,  the  various 
documents  to  which  this  double  number  will  be 
almost  exclusively  devoted.  They  well  deserve 
the  large  space  thus  allotted  to  them  ; and  we 
publish  them  together  and  at  once,  because  we 
think  that  the  impression  which  they  ought  to 
make  on  all  the  friends  of  Africa  would  be  in- 
terrupted  and  weakened  if  they  were  printed 
and  circulated  otherwise  than  in  this  complete 
and  continuous  form.  The  most  novel  and  im- 
portant of  these  documents  is  the  communication 
from  the  Rev.  T.  B.  Freeman,  of  our  Cape  Coast 
Castle  mission,  which  includes  the  narrative  of 
his  recent  journey  of  observation  and  inquiry  t p 


8 


MISSIONS  IN  WESTERN  AF. 


the  country  and  capital  of  the  king  of  Ashant'SS  i 
and  which  evinces  at  once  the  necessity  which 
exists  there  for  the  exertions  of  evangelical  phi- 
lanthropy, and  the  probability  that  such  exertions 
would  be  favourably  received,  and  would  by  the 
blessing  of  God  be  eventually  crowned  with 
considerable  success.  All  that  we  just  now 
request  from  our  readers,  in  reference  to  this 
Journal,  is,  that  it  may  have  their  careful  and 
immediate  perusal.  The  rest  may  then  be  safely 
left  to  the  operation  of  those  emotions  of  bene 
volent  commiseration  for  the  benighted  and  bar- 
barous heathen,  and  of  pious  zeal  for  the  salva- 
tion of  immortal  souls,  which  such  a perusal, 
we  are  sure,  will  not  fail  to  excite  in  every 
Christian  heart. 

To  Mr.  Freeman’s  Journal  we  have  deemed 
it  advisable  to  prefix  some  brief  historical  no- 
tices, referring  to  the  causes,  circumstances, 
and  results  of  the  Ashantee  war,  which  some 
years  ago  produced  so  painful  a sensation,  in 
connection  with  the  defeat  and  cruel  death  of 
the  late  excellent  and  much  lamented  Sir 
Charles  M’Carthy,  then  governor  of  Sierra 
Leone,  and  commander-in-chief  of  the  British 
troops  in  Western  Africa.  The  relations  of 
Ashantee  to  Great  Britain,  and  its  importance  as 
a field  of  missionary  enterprise,  will  thus  be 


MISSIONS  IN  WESTERN  AFRICA.  9 

better  understood,  and  felt  with  deeper  interest. 
Subjoined  to  Mr.  Freeman’s  Journal  will  be 
found  in  the  same  communication  a letter,  ad- 
dressed to  him  by  President  Maclean,  the  present 
governor  of  Cape  Coast  Castle  and  its  British 
dependencies,  to  whom  the  Wesleyan  Society 
is  greatly  indebted  for  his  uniform  kindness  and 
very  valuable  assistance  to  its  agents  in  the 
prosecution  of  their  arduous  labours  on  the  Gold 
Coast,  and  for  the  facilities  he  afforded  to  Mr. 
Freeman  in  connection  with  his  journey  to 
Ashantee.  And  with  a view  to  show  our  friends 
that,  even  independently  of  the  prospect  of  an 
extensive  opening  for  the  introduction  of  Chris- 
tianity and  civilization  into  Ashantee,  the  most 
delightful  results  have  already  followed  from 
our  existing  mission  in  that  part  of  the  African 
continent,  we  have  inserted  some  other  commu- 
nications from  Mr.  Freeman,  which,  we  doubt 
not,  will  be  read  with  pleasure  and  gratitude. 

Ashantee  is  a powerful  kingdom  contiguous  to 
he  Gold  Coast,  in  Western  Africa.  Coomassie, 
the  capital,  it  has  been  calculated,  is  more  than 
one  hundred  and  thirty  miles  from  Cape  Coast 
Castle  in  a horizontal  direction,  but  the  distance 
is  considerably  greater  by  the  pathway  through 
the  forest.  The  inhabitants  of  Coomassie  alone 


10  MISSIONS  IN  WESTERN  AFRICA. 

have  been  estimated  at  seventy  thousand  ; and 
the  capital  is  surrounded  by  numerous  towns 
and  villages,  which  contain  a large  population. 
Juabin,  at  the  distance  of  a day’s  journey,  is 
said  to  be  one-third  of  the  size  of  Coomassie 
The  entire  population  of  Ashantee,  with  all  its 
dependencies,  is  upward  of  four  millions. 

The  martial  exploits  of  the  Ashantees  in  the 
countries  on  the  coast,  since  the  commencement 
of  the  present  century,  have  rendered  their  na- 
tional name  familiar  in  Europe.  The  Fantees, 
who  were  originally  an  inland  people,  subject 
to  the  Ashantee  crown,  having,  in  the  year  1807, 
afforded  protection  to  Cheeboo  and  Apoutai,  two 
of  the  vassal  chiefs  of  Osai  Tooto  Quamina, 
king  of  Ashantee,  who  had  rebelled  against  his 
authority,  the  king  invaded  Fantee  with  a pow- 
erful . army.  In  the  first  instance  he  appeared 
solicitous  to  obtain  possession  of  the  two  rebel 
chiefs  by  amicable  means  ; but  he  became  so 
exasperated  by  the  insults  and  indignities  which 
were  offered  to  him,  that  he  formed  the  resolu- 
tion entirely  to  extirpate  the  Fantees.  Orders 
were  accordingly  issued  to  spare  neither  man, 
woman,  nor  child ; and  the  country  in  the  rear 
of  the  advancing  army  became,  in  consequence, 
a scene  of  utter  desolation.  Having  signally 
wreaked  his  vengeance  upon  Abrah,  the  seat 


MISSIONS  IN  WESTERN  AFRICA.  1 1 

of  government,  where  his  messengers  had  been 
barbarously  murdered,  the  king  with  one  half 
of  his  army  pursued  the  retreating  enemy  toward 
the  coast ; while  the  other  half  was  employed  in 
destroying  the  towns  as  they  passed  along, 
leaving  none  of  the  people  alive,  except  some 
of  the  highest  rank,  who  were  reserved  to  ex- 
perience more  refined  cruelties  on  the  return  of 
the  conqueror  to  Coomassie. 

The  advanced  guard  of  the  army,  led  on  by 
the  viceroy  or  tributary  king  of  Dinkira,  first 
obtained  sight  of  the  sea  in  the  neighbourhood 
of  Cormantine.  This  town  was  destroyed,  and 
the  Dutch  fort  taken  possession  of  by  the  Ashan- 
tees.  The  successes  of  the  invaders  now  be- 
gan to  excite  uneasy  apprehensions  at  Annama- 
boe  ; and  Mr.  White,  the  governor  of  the  fort,  hu- 
manely endeavoured  to  put  a stop  to  the  further 
effusion  of  blood,  by  friendly  explanations.  Bu* 
vain  was  the  attempt.  The  king  had  bound 
himself  by  “ the  great  oath”  that  he  would  not 
go  back  to  his  capital  without  the  heads  of 
Cheeboo  and  Apoutai ; who,  after  the  destruc- 
tion of  Abrah,  had  in  the  first  instance  taken 
refuge  at  Annamaboe,  which  was  then  the 
largest  town  upon  that  part  of  the  coast.  As 
the  Ashantees  approached,  they,  however,  re- 
tired to  Cape  Coast,  on  the  invitation  of  the  na- 


12  MISSIONS  IN  WESTERN  AFRICA. 

tives  of  that  place.  When  the  king  presented 
himself  before  Annamaboe,  he  found  that  the 
inhabitants  had  drawn  out  their  forces  to  meet 
him  ; but  they  soon  gave  way,  and  were  pursued 
to  the  very  walls  of  the  fort,  which  afforded 
them  only  slender  protection.  The  cannon  were 
shortly  rendered  useless,  as  the  Ashantee  marks- 
men picked  off  the  soldiers  as  fast  as  they  ap- 
peared at  an  embrasure,  or  showed  their  heads 
above  the  ramparts  ; and  before  the  close  of  the 
day  the  efforts  of  the  little  garrison  were  exclu- 
sively confined  to  the  defence  of  the  gate,  which 
the  enemy  attempted  to  force  or  burn.  At  least 
eight  thousand  of  the  natives  perished  in  the 
contest,  and  Mr.  White,  the  governor  of  the  fort, 
was  severely  wounded.  After  two  or  three 
days  the  king  prepared  to  renew  the  attack  upon 
the  fort,  with  six  thousand  men  selected  for  the 
occasion  ; but  in  the  morning  of  the  day  on  which 
he  had  vowed  to  seat  himself,  “ by  the  help  of 
his  gods,”  in  the  governor’s  chair,  a white  flag 
was  lowered  from  the  walls.  A negotiation  en- 
sued. The  chief  governor  Torrane  went  over 
from  Cape  Coast  Castle,  and  concluded  a treaty 
of  peace.  Apoutai  had  made  his  escape,  but 
Cheeboo  was  delivered  up  to  the  king,  who 
withdrew  his  army,  carrying  with  him  many  of 
the  surviving  inhabitants  as  his  prisoners.  In 


MISSIONS  IN  WESTERN  AFRICA-  13 

the  rejoicing  which  afterward  took  place  at  the 
capital,  the  wretched  Cheeboo  suffered  the  most 
exquisite  torments,  and  his  head  became  one  of 
the  principal  decorations  of  the  death  drum  of 
the  king. 

In  the  year  1811  Fantee  experienced  a se- 
cond invasion  from  the  Ashantees ; and  a third 
in  1816,  when  Cape  Coast  underwent  a long 
blockade.  These  repeated  attacks  inflicted 
great  miseries  upon  the  Fantees,  and  thousands 
were  dragged  into  the  interior  to  be  sacrificed 
to  the  superstitions  of  the  conquerors. 

To  avert  a continued  succession  of  such  ca- 
lamities, an  embassy  was  sent  to  Coomassie  ; 
and  Mr.  Bowdich,  who  was  placed  at  its  head 
after  the  recall  of  Mr.  James,  concluded  a treaty 
with  the  king.  Mr.  Hutchinson  was  left  behind 
as  resident  in  Ashantee,  but  returned  to  Cape 
Coast  on  the  eve  of  the  war  with  Gaman. 

After  this  Mr.  Dupuis  was  sent  by  the  British 
government  to  Coomassie,  invested  with  consu- 
lar powers.  He  concluded  a second  treaty,  and 
returned  to  Cape  Coast  with  numerous  presents, 
accompanied  by  ambassadors  to  the  king  of 
England. 

New  misunderstandings,  however,  arose ; and 
an  Ashantee  army  again  marched  toward  the 
coast  at  the  close  of  the  year  1823.  Sir  Charles 


14  MISSIONS  IN  WESTERN  AFRICA. 

M’Carthy  took  the  field  against  them  with  the 
most  encouraging  prospect  of  success  ; for,  be- 
sides a strong  bo’dy  of  regular  troops  which  was 
under  his  command,  many  chiefs  threw  off  their 
allegiance  to  Ashantee,  and  all  the  districts  on 
the  sea  coast  west  of  the  Volta  were  in  arms, 
to  the  amount  of  thirty  thousand  warriors.  But 
disastrous  was  the  result  of  the  first  campaign. 
The  governor,  with  a division  of  the  army,  having 
crossed  the  Praa,  advanced  into  the  Warsaw 
country,  where  he  engaged  the  Ashantees,  and 
experienced  a complete  defeat.  Sir  Charles 
himself,  after  having  been  severely  wounded, 
fell  into  the  hands  of  the  enemy,  who  cut  off 
his  head,  and  preserved  it  in  the  usual  manner. 
His  heart  was  eaten  by  the  principal  Ashantee 
chiefs,  in  order  that  they  might,  as  they  ima- 
gined, imbibe  his  bravery  ; and  his  flesh,  having 
been  dried,  was  divided,  together  with  his  bones, 
among  the  men  of  consequence  in  the  army, 
who  kept  their  respective  shares  about  their 
persons  as  charms  to  inspire  them  with  courage. 

In  the  month  of  May  following,  the  new  king, 
Osai  Ockotoe,  (the  brother  of  Osai  Tooto  Qua- 
mina,'  who  had  died  soon  after  the  commence- 
ment of  the  war,)  came  down  to  his  army  at  the 
head  of  a strong  reinforcement,  with  the  avowed 
intention  to  destroy  Cape  Coast  Castle,  and 


'MISSIONS  IN  WESTERN  AFRICA.  15 

drive  the  English  into  the  sea.  After  some 
hard  fighting,  and  when  the  Ashantee  army  had 
suffered  the  loss  of  many  thousands  of  men  by 
the  ravages  of  disease,  and  the  want  of  provi- 
sions, the  king  drew  off  his  forces  in  the  direc- 
tion  of  Annamaboe.  The  last  and  decisive  bat- 
tle was  fought  about  the  middle  of  the  year  1826, 
twenty-four  miles  north-east  of  Accra,  when  the 
British  and  their  allies  gained  the  victory,  and 
took  the  Ashantee  camp  and  baggage.  After 
this  battle  negotiations  were  commenced ; but, 
owing  to  various  causes,  it  was  not  until  the 
month  of  April,  1831,  that  a treaty  of  peace 
was  signed,  when  the  king  sent  one  of  his  sons, 
and  a son  of  the  preceding  king,  as  hostages, 
with  six  hundred  ounces  of  gold,  to  be  lodged 
at  Cape  Coast  Castle,  as  a security  for  the  per- 
formance on  his  part  of  the  conditions  of  the 
treaty  for  the  term  of  six  years.  At  the  end 
of  six  years  the  gold  was  returned;  and  the 
present  king,  Quacoe  Duah,  who  had  in  the 
mean  time  succeeded  his  brother,  Osai  Ockotoe, 
consented  that  his  nephews,  who  had  been  given 
up  as  hostages,  should  be  sent  for  education  to 
England,  where  they  at  present  remain. 

It  was  shortly  after  the  execution  of  this 
treaty  that  the  land  which  had  been  so  awfully 
desolated  by  war  was  visited,  in  the  order  of 


16  MISSIONS  IN  WESTERN  AFRICA. 

divine  Providence,  with  the  blessings  of  the 
gospel  of  peace.  The  Wesleyan  missionary 
committee  were  led  to  accept  the  generous  offer 
of  Captain  Potter,  of  Bristol,  to  take  a mission- 
ary in  his  vessel,  free  of  expence  to  the  society  ; 
and  in  the  year  1834  the  Rev.  Joseph  Dunwell 
was  sent  on  a visit  of  observation  to  Cape  Coast 
Castle.  He  was  welcomed  by  many  of  the  na- 
tives with  gratitude  and  affection ; and  his 
faithful  labours  among  them  were  crowned  with 
signal  success.  The  work  which  thus  so  aus- 
piciously commenced  has  since  extended  along 
the  Gold  Coast  eastward,  as  far  as  Accra  ; seve- 
ral chapels  have  been  built,  or  are  in  course  of 
erection  ; and  six  hundred  converts  from  hea- 
thenism have  been  united  together  in  church 
fellowship. 

Interesting  as  this  mission  appears  when 
viewed  in  its  beneficial  effects  upon  the  natives 
of  the  Gold  Coast,  it  however  rises  in  import- 
ance when  regarded  as  the  means  by  which  the 
way  has  been  opened  for  the  introduction  of  the 
gospel  into  Ashantee.  JTe  establishment  of 
this  mission  has  served  to  excite  more  particu- 
lar attention  to  the  circumstances  and  spiritual 
wants  of  the  Ashantee  people  ; and  has  created 
the  facilities  by  which  Mr.  Freeman  has  been 
enabled  to  visit  Coomassie.  It  deserves,  more- 


MISSIONS  IN  WESTERN  AFRICA.  17 

over,  especially  to  be  noticed  that  immediately 
on  the  commencement  of  this  mission,  its  bene- 
ficial influence  began  to  be  exerted  upon  the 
two  Ashantee  hostages.  Under  the  ministry 
of  Mr  Dun  well  they  became  impressed  with  the 
truth  and  excellence  of  that  divine  religion 
which  they  have  since  formally  embraced  in 
this  country ; and  they  are  now  on  the  eve  of 
their  return  to  their  native  land,  at  the  very 
juncture  when  their  uncle,  the  present  king,  has 
become  favourably  disposed  to  missionary  exer- 
tions. Thus  has  access  been  afforded  to  a peo- 
ple, the  conversion  of  whom  to  vital  Christianity 
could  not  fail,  considering  their  geographical 
situation  and  their  weight  in  the  scale  of  African 
nations,  greatly  to  promote  th5  spread  of  the 
gospel,  and  at  the  same  time  advance  the  cause 
of  humanity  and  civilization  throughout  the  con- 
tinent of  Africa. 


2 


18  MISSIONS  IN  WESTERN  AFRICA. 


CHAPTER  II. 

Journal  of  the  Rev.  Thomas  B.  Freeman , on  a visit  from 
Cape  Coast  to  Ashantee , in  interior  Western  Africa , 
from  the  thirtieth  of  January  to  the  twenty-third  of  April, 
1839.  ( Addressed  to  the  secretaries  of  the  Wesleyan  Mis- 

sionary Society.) 

OBJECT  OF  THE  JOURNEY  ; DIFFICULTIES,  AND  THEIR 
REMOVAL. 

Rev.  and  Dear  Sirs, — According  to  my 
promise  in  my  last,  I embrace  the  opportunity 
of  sending  you,  per  brig  Maclean,  a copy  of  my 
Journal  during  my  recent  mission  to  Ashantee, 
with  a few  accompanying  remarks. 

Before  I commence,  however,  I beg  leave 
briefly  to  state  my  object  in  undertaking  such  a 
work,  and  the  prospects  I had  at  my  setting  out. 

Ever  since  my  arrival  on  this  station,  I have 
felt  deeply  anxious  to  visit  Coomassie,  the  capi- 
tal of  Ashantee,  and  residence  of  the  king. 
The  tales  of  horror,  wretchedness,  and  cruelty, 
which  I had  often  heard  respecting  the  Ashan- 
tees,  wrought  in  my  mind  the  deepest  commise- 
ration, and  a constant  restlessness  to  commence 
missionary  operations  among  them. 

Opposed  to  this  project  were,  First,  The  fears 
of  a large  majority  of  our  members  as  to  the 
results  of  such  an  enterprise,  concerning  my 


MISSIONS  IN  WESTERN  AFRICA.  19 

health.  Secondly,  The  very  heavy  expenses 
attending  such  a journey.  Thirdly,  The  fears 
of  many  with  whom  I conversed  on  the  subject, 
that  I should  not  succeed  even  in  ari  attempt  to 
get  to  Coomassie,  on  account  of  the  almost  uncon- 
querable jealousies  :>f  the  king.  Fourthly,  The 
strong  claims  of  our  societies  on  the  coast,  from 
which,  in  the  event  of  my  undertaking  the  jour- 
ney, I must  in  all  probability  be  absent  from  two 
to  three  months.  And,  lastly,  The  importance 
of  my  being  at  Cape  Coast  on  the  arrival  of  a 
fellow-labourer,  whom  I had  for  several  weeks 
been  expecting. 

The  first  obstacle  was  removed  by  our  mem- 
bers gaining  a steady  and  increasing  confidence 
that  God  would  preserve  me,  (if  I endeavoured 
to  take  care  of  my  health,)  and  bring  me  back 
in  safety. 

The  second  obstacle  was  removed  by  a pro- 
mise, on  the  part  of  our  societies  here,  to  render 
me  all  possible  assistance  by  their  prayers  and 
contributions. 

The  third  obstacle  was  removed  by  a promise 
of  all  necessary  assistance  on  the  part  of  his 
excellency,  President  Maclean. 

My  fourth  obstacle  was  removed  by  the  ex 
pectation  that  a new  missionary  would  arrive 
in  the  course  of  a few  weeks  at  the  longest ; 


20  MISSIONS  IN  WESTERN  AFRICA. 

and  by  my  obtaining  the  assistance  of  an  excel- 
lent young  man,  (Mr.  W.  De  Graft,)  who  was 
ready  to  take  charge  of  the  mission  house,  of 
our  societies,  &c.,  during  my  absence  ; and 

My  fifth  obstacle  was  in  a measure  removed 
by  considering  that  I could  write  a long  letter 
by  way  of  information  and  instruction,  and  leave 
it  in  the  mission  house  for  my  fellow-labourer 
on  his  arrival. 

Having  therefore  determined  on  commencing 
my  journey  without  delay,  I immediately  began 
to  prepare  myself  by  packing  up  a supply  of  pro- 
visions, hiring  hammock  men,  carriers,  &c. , 
while  President  Maclean  kindly  provided  me 
with  two  soldiers,  a sergeant  and  a private, 
to  conduct  me ; and  put  into  my  hand  a letter 
of  recommendation  to  the  king  of  Ashantee. 

ANNAMABOE,  DOMONASSIE,  YANCOOMASSIE  ; ASSIN  CHIBBOE. 

Deeply  sensible  of  the  difficult  and  dangerous 
nature  of  my  undertaking,  and  not  forgetful  of 
that  Eternal  Source  from  whence  I must  receive 
all  my  strength,  both  of  a physical  and  spiritual 
nature,  I took  an  affectionate  leave  of  our  society 
at  Cape  Coast,  on  Tuesday  evening  January  29th, 
1839,  and  on  the  following  morning,  January 
30th,  at  half-past  seven,  A.  M.,  I left  Cape  Coast 
for  Coomassie,  and  reached  Annamaboe  at  noon. 


MISSIONS  IN  WESTERN  AFRICA.  21 

In  the  afternoon  I made  arrangements  for 
starting  for  Domonassie  the  following  morning. 
Domonassie  is  not  in  the  direct  road  to  Ashan- 
tee  ; but  as  it  is  not  far  out  of  the  way,  I chose 
to  call  and  visit  our  societies  there  before  I left 
the  circuit. 

Thursday , 31st.  At  eight  A.  M.,  I proceeded 
on  my  way  to  Domonassie,  where  I arrived 
early  in  the  afternoon,  a little  unwell ; the  heavy 
anxieties  which  I had  felt  for  several  days,  on 
account  of  leaving  for  the  interior,  having  brought 
on  a slight  fever : here  I rested  until  the  fol- 
lowing afternoon,  hoping  to  recover  strength. 

February  1st.,  Friday.  At  three  P.  M.,  I 
proceeded  to  Yancoomassie,  where  I arrived  at 
a quarter  past  five  P.  M.,  and  immediately  re- 
paired to  the  residence  of  Assin  Chibboe,  the 
chief  of  the  town  and  surrounding  country.  He 
received  me  very  kindly,  provided  me  with 
lodgings  for  the  night,  and  made  me  a present 
of  a sheep  and  some  green  plantains. 

Saturday,  2d.  At  ten  A.  M.,  I again  resumed 
my  journey,  Assin  Chibboe  providing  me  with 
four  men  and  a boy,  to  assist  in  carrying  my 
luggage  to  my  next  lodging  place,  gratis. 

Yancoomassie  is  one  of  the  largest  native 
towns  I have  yet  seen  in  Fantee,  and  it  is  kept 
remarkably  clean.  Assin  Chibboe  is  a young 


22  MISSIONS  IN  WESTERN  AFRICA. 

man  of  more  respectable  appearance  than  many 
of  the  chiefs  of  the  country.  During  my  short 
stay  with  him  I had  some  conversation  with  him 
concerning  the  worship  of  the  true  God.  He 
paid  some  attention  to  what  I said,  and  appeared 
to  be  void  of  that  obstinacy  which  characterizes 
many  of  the  Fantee  chiefs  and  Caboceers,  when 
conversed  with  on  religious  subjects.  There 
are  many  hundreds  of  souls  in  Yancoomassie  to 
whom  much  lasting  good  might  be  done  by  a 
teacher  residing  among  them,  who  is  zealous 
for  the  glory  of  God,  in  the  eternal  welfare  of 
his  fellow-countrymen. 

MANSUE  ; PREACHING  TO  THE  CHIEF  AND  CAPTAINS 

At  three  P.  M.,  I reached  the  town  of  Man- 
sue,  and  was  very  kindly  received  by  the  chief 
and  his  captains.  Finding  myself  feverish, 
with  a violent  headache,  I thought  it  prudent  to 
nave  recourse  to  medicine  this  evening.  Before 
I retired  to  rest,  Gabrea,  the  chief,  sent  me  a 
present,  consisting  of  a good  sheep,  some  plan- 
tains, and  pine  apples.  His  mother  also  sent 
me  some  yams  and  plantains. 

"Sunday,  3rd.  Much  better  in  health,  my 
fever  nearly  gone.  At  four  P.  M.,  I preached 
the  word  of  life  to  the  chief  and  his  captains, 
and  many  of  the  people,  on,  “ Go  ye  into  all  the 


MISSIONS  IN  WESTERN  AFRICA. 


23 


world,  and  preach  the  gospel  to  every  creature  ” 
Considering  their  ignorant  condition,  they  be- 
haved very  well.  I do  not  remember  that  I 
ever  witnessed  a more  soul-refreshing  and  in- 
teresting scene  than  that  which  took  place  at 
the  close  of  the  sermon.  The  sublime  truths 
concerning  the  mysterious  plan  of  human  re- 
demption,— God  becoming  incarnate  and  dying 
to  save  his  rebellious  creatures,  and  bring  them 
to  eternal  glory, — made  such  an  impression  on 
the  minds  of  the  chief  and  his  captains  that  they 
could  no  longer  contain  themselves  ; but  spread- 
ing abroad  their  hands,  and  lifting  up  their  voices, 
they  acknowledged  the  loving  kindness  of  God, 
and  declared  before  many  of  their  people  who 
were  present, that  they  would  worship  God ; and  I 
verily  believe  they  would,  if  they  could  be  watch- 
ed over,  and  attended  to  continually,  by  a mis- 
sionary or  teacher.  “ The  harvest  truly  is  great, 
but  the  labourers  are  few.”  O God  of  love  I wilt 
thou  not  undertake  for  these  souls  ? G save  them 
from  the  power  of  the  enemy,  and  strengthen  the 
hands  of  the  few,  very  few,  labourers  in  this  ex- 
tensive vineyard!  Is  it  not  of  thine  own  planting  1 

“ Art  thou  the  God  of  Jews  alone. 

And  not  the  God  of  Gentiles  too  ? 

To  Gentiles  make  thy  goodness  known. 

Thy  judgments  to  the  nations  show  ; 


24 


MISSIONS  IN  WESTERN  AFRICA 

Awake  them  by  the  gospel  call : 

Light  of  the  world,  illumine  all !” 

They  are  as  the  dry  bones  in  the  valley.  But, 

0 thou  Fountain  of  life ! thou  Spirit  of  eternal 
truth!  breathe  upon  these  slain,  that  they  may 
live ! 

FESSU,  BERRACOE,  RIVER  PRAH ; CHARACTER  OF  THE 
FANTEE  COUNTRY. 

Monday , 4th.  At  a quarter  past  seven  A.  M., 

1 left  Mansue,  and  proceeded  on  my  way  to 
Fessu.  Our  way  lay  through  a dense  forest, 
abounding  in  lofty  silk-cotton  and  other  trees, 
and  many  handsome  varieties  of  fern.  Many 
small  rivulets  nearly  dried  up  by  the  long  drought 
remind  me  that  I am  in  a torrid  clime.  At  five 
P.  M.,  I reached  Fessu. 

1 uesday , 5th.  At  seven  A.  M.,  I left  Fessu, 
and  reached  my  next  resting  place,  Berracoe, 
at  five  P.  M.  Fessu  and  Berracoe  are  both 
small  crooms,  or  villages,  belonging  to  Mansue. 

Wednesday , 6th.  At  a quarter  past  six  A.  M., 

I started  from  Berracoe  for  the  River  Prah ,* 
which  I reached  nine  minutes  before  nine  A.  M. 
The  river,  the  largest  I have  yet  seen  in  Africa, 
with  its  thickly  wooded  banks,  abounding  in 
palm  trees  and  mimosae,  presented  a beautifully 
picturesque  and  interesting  scene.  When  the 
* Boosemprah  of  Bowdich. 


MISSIONS  IN  WESTERN  AFRICA. 


25 


river  is  at  its  greatest  height,  its  depth  may  be 
about  thirty  or  forty  feet,  and  its  breadth  about 
ninety  yards.  Near  the  crossing  place,  its  bed 
is  very  rocky.  As  it  was  very  low,  I could  see 
many  large  pieces  of  granite  above  the  surface 
of  the  water.  The  River  Prah  forms  the  bound- 
ary between  the  Fantee  country  and  the  domi- 
nions of  the  king  of  Ashantee.  On  the  Fantee 
side  of  the  river  is  a small  towm,  called  Prah- 
soo.  Here  I halted  until  the  following  morning, 
that  my  people  might  have  an  opportunity  of 
refreshing  themselves  by  bathing,  &c. 


In  the  course  of  the  day  my  interpreter  had 


>the  misfortune  to  cut  his  foot  with  an  oyster 
shell,  while  bathing  in  the  river,  which  made 
him  almost  incapable  of  walking  for  two  or 
three  days  ; I was,  therefore,  obliged  to  ease 
him  by  walking  more  than  usual  myself,  that  he 
might  ride  in  my  little  travelling  chair.  I was 
soon,  however,  obliged  to  hire  four  extra  men 
to  carry  him  in  a basket  which  I had  taken  the 
precaution  to  take  with  me,  besides  my  chair, 
as  my  heels  became  so  sore  with  biles,  occa- 
sioned by  the  intensity  of  the  heat,  that  I was 
little  able  to  walk  myself.  The  road  also  was 
exceedingly  bad,  being  in  many  places  not  more 
than  nine  inches  wide,  and  that  full  of  holes, 
and  roots  of  trees  rising  above  the  ground. 


26  MISSIONS  IN  WESTERN  AFRICA. 

The  whole  of  the  Fantee  country  through 
which  I passed,  from  within  a mile  or  two  of 
Cape  Coast  Castle  up  to  the  River  Prah,  a dis- 
tance of  about  eighty-five  miles,  is  covered  with 
luxuriant  vegetation,  consisting  of  plantains, 
bananas,  palms,  bamboos,  pines,  many  large 
forest  trees,  covered  with  climbers,  epiphitical 
orchidea , and  ferns.  Among  the  shrubs  and 
herbaceous  plants,  I noticed  a very  pretty  variety 
of  croton ; also  lantana  odorata,  and  a species 
of  gardenia  hedychium , or  garland  flower,  canna 
Indica , and  a handsome  blue  variety  of  maranta , 
the  leaves  of  which  were,  on  the  upper  side, 
of  a pale  green  colour,  and  underneath  of  a 
bright  purple.  My  ears  were  also  charmed 
with  the  notes  of  some  of  the  feathered  song 
sters  of  the  forest  ;*  and  my  attention  arrested 
by  the  well-known  sound  of  the  woodman’s  hook 
and  axe,  while  clearing  small  tracts  of  ground 
in  the  forest  for  cultivating  yams,  &c. 

ENTRANCE  ON  THE  ASHANTEE  COUNTRY  ; THE  ASSINS 
ANSO,  QUISSAH. 

Thursday , 7th.  At  seven  A.  M.,  I crossed 
the  Prah  in  a large  heavy  canoe,  and  journeyed 
through  a country  formerly  inhabited  by  the 
* The  general  remark  that  the  notes  of  the  birds  of  tro- 
pical climes  are  not  harmonious,  is  not  applicable  to  this 
part  of  the  world  ; many  of  them  sing  melodiously. 


MISSIONS  IN  WESTERN  AFRICA.  27 

Assins,  a people  who  were  incorporated  with 
Ashantee  until  the  late  war  between  the  Ashan- 
tees  and  the  British,  when  they  threw  off  their 
allegiance,  and  took  refuge  in  Fantee,  under  the 
protection  of  the  British.  In  the  evening  I 
reached  Anso,  a small  croom,  where  I halted 
for  the  night. 

Throughout  the  day  the  Harmattan  was  very 
strong,  affecting  my  eyes  very  much,  and  pro- 
ducing a sensation  like  what  is  felt  with  a vio- 
lent cold  in  the  head. 

During  the  night  I slept  in  a small  hut ; and 
having  nothing  but  thin  strips  of  bamboo  tied 
close  together  to  supply  the  place  of  walls,  I 
felt  the  cold  damps  severely,  although  I lined 
this  frail  dwelling  with  a blanket  and  sheet. 
I was  also  mortified  in  the  morning  to  find  that 
a rat  had  eaten  some  of  my  hammock  strings, 
which  almost  rendered  it  unfit  for  use. 

Friday , 8th.  At  seven  A.  M.,  I started  for 
Quissah,  the  first  town  of  any  importance  on  the 
Ashantee  side  of  the  Prah,  where  I arrived  at 
five  P.  M.  Immediately  before  entering  Quis- 
sah, I passed  over  a hill  of  considerable  height, 
the  ascent  of  which  occupied  seventeen  minutes. 
'This  hill  is,  I think,  the  highest  of  a long  chain 
of  hills  which  form  the  boundary  between 
Ashantee  proper  and  the  Assin  country.  Were 


28  MISSIONS  IN  WESTERN  AFRICA. 

it  not  for  the  thick  bush  which  covers  the  sum- 
mit of  this  hill,  a very  extensive  prospect  of  part 
of  the  Ashantee  and  Assin  countries  might  be 
obtained.  Its  soil  is  very  rich,  consisting  of  a 
mixture  of  yellow  loam  and  clay.  A spring  of 
the  most  delicious  water  I ever  tasted  rises 
about  half  way  up  the  hill,  as  far  as  I could 
judge  ; and  after  tumbling  down  its  rocky  bed 
of  granite,  bubbles  by  the  small  town  of  Quis- 
sah.  The  Assin  country,  though  possessing  a 
very  rich  and  fertile  soil,  covered  with  luxuriant 
vegetation,  presents  one  unbroken  scene  of  de- 
solation, except  here  and  there  a few  huts  oc- 
cupied by  Ashantees  whom  the  king  sends  to 
take  care  of  the  path. 

[If  you  compare  this  brief  account  of  Fantee 
and  Assin  with  that  given  by  Bowditch,  (pages 
23,  24,)  you  will  perceive  that  the  Fantee  coun- 
try is  rapidly  improving  under  the  fostering  care 
of  the  local  government  of  Cape  Coast ; while 
the  Assin  country,  abandoned  by  its  rightful 
owners,  is  in  ruins.] 

PREACHING  TO  CORINTCHIE,  THE  CHIEF  OF  FOMUNNAH. 

I had  not  been  in  Quissah  more  than  an 
hour  when  I was  informed  by  the  chief  that  I 
could  proceed  no  further  into  the  Ashantee 
country,  without  obtaining  permission  from  the 


MR.  FREEMAN  PREACHING  TO  CORINTCIIIE. 


31 


MISSIONS  IN  WESTERN  AFRICA. 

chief  of  Adansie,  who  resides  at  Fomunnah,  a 
neat  little  town,  about  a mile  distant  from  Quis- 
sah.  Being  provided  with  a lodging  place,  I 
therefore  halted  here  for  the  night.  I was  de- 
lighted to  find  in  Quissah  several  Fantees,  mem- 
bers of  our  society,  who  had  come  hither  for 
trading  purposes. 

Saturday , 9th.  This  morning  the  chief  in- 
formed me  that  Corintchie,  the  chief  of  Fomun- 
nah, had  sent  over  for  him,  in  order  to  converse 
with  him  respecting  me  ; and  shortly  afterward 
a messenger  arrived  from  Corintchie,  requesting 
me  to  go  over  and  visit  him,  which  I imme- 
diately prepared  to  do.  When  I entered  the 
town,  Corintchie  was  sitting  before  the  front 
of  his  house,  under  his  large  umbrella,  waiting 
to  receive  me  ; his  captains  and  people  occupy- 
ing the  ground  on  his  right  and  left.  After  the 
usual  compliments  on  meeting,  he  asked  me 
what  object  1 had  in  view  in  wishing  to  pass 
up  to  Coomassie.  I told  him  I had  nothing  to 
do  with  trade  or  palavers,  but  was  come  into 
the  country  to  promote  the  best  interests  of  the 
king  of  Ashantee  and  his  people,  by  directing 
them  in  the  way  of  peace  and  happiness  through 
the  preaching  of  the  gospel.  He  then  said  he 
should  like  to  hear  the  gospel  in  his  town  before 
I proceeded  any  further  into  the  country.  I 


32  MISSIONS  IN  WESTERN  AFRICA. 

hereupon  proceeded  to  speak  to  him  and  all 
present  on  the  being  of  a God.  I commenced 
by  taking  into  my  hand  a leaf  which  had  fallen 
from  a banyan  tree  under  which  I was  standing, 
and  asking  them  if  they  could  make  one  like  it ; 
and  they  answered,  Debida,  “ No.”  I then 
asked  them  if  they  thought  it  possible  for  all 
the  wisdom,  power,  and  genius  in  the  world 
united  to  make  such  a leaf ; they  answered 
again,  Debida.  Having  brought  them  to  this 
conclusion,  I directed  their  attention  to  the  al- 
mighty power,  mercy,  and  truth  of  “ God,  who 
made  the  world  and  all  things  therein  and 
spoke  to  them  on  the  nature  of  the  Christian 
religion.  They  readily  gave  their  assent  to  all 
I said ; and  Corintchie  requested  me  to  pay 
them  a visit  on  the  morrow,  that  they  might  hear 
more  from  me  concerning  the  Christian  religion. 
On  my  remarking  that  as  I was  a minister  of  the 
gospel  I could  not  prudently  make  them  presents 
according  to  the  usual  custom,  it  being  beneath 
the  dignity  of  Christianity,  which  is  so  truly 
excellent  in  itself,  that  it  requires  no  recom- 
mendation except  a conviction  of  its  value  ; he 
answered,  “ We  do  not  desire  any  of  the  cus- 
tomary presents  from  you,  but  wish  rather  to 
become  acquainted  with  Christianity.”  I then 
asked  him  when  I could  proceed  to  Coomassie  ; 


MISSIONS  IN  WESTERN  AFRICA.  33 

to  which  he  answered  that  I should  know  more 
about  it  on  the  morrow. 

Sunday , 10th.  At  three  P.  M.,  I again  went 
over  to  Fomunnah  to  preach  the  word  of  life, 
followed  by  the  chief  of  Quissah.  I took  my 
station  in  the  same  place  in  which  I stood  on 
the  preceding  day.  Corintchie  and  his  people 
pon  made  their  appearance,  and  I commenced 
divine  service  by  giving  out  some  verses  of  the 
hymn, — 

u Plunged  in  a gulf  of  dark  despair,”  &c. 

I had  a goodly  number  of  our  people  with  me, 
who  assisted  in  singing  the  praises  of  God. 
After  a short  prayer  in  Fantee  by  my  interpreter, 
we  sung  the  first  verse  of  the  hymn, — 

“ Lord  over  all,  if  thou  hast  made, 

Hast  ransom’d  every  soul  of  man 

after  which  I preached  from  Mark  xvi,  15,  when 
I explained  more  fully  the  nature  of  the  gospel ; 
and  gave  them  many  arguments  which  prove 
the  divine  origin  of  the  Bible.  Solemnity  sat 
on  their  faces,  and  the  deepest  attention  was 
paid  to  the  grand  and  awful  truths  which  were 
laid  before  them  : every  minute  almost  did  they 
utter  a hearty  Eou , “Yes,”  by  way  of  giving 
their  assent.  At  the  conclusion  of  the  sermon, 
Corintchie  and  his  captains  said  it  was  a “ good 
3 


34  MISSIONS  IN  WESTERN  AFRICA. 

palaver.”  On  my  telling  them  that  I had  not 
laid  before  them  a thousandth  part  of  the  sub- 
lime truths  contained  in  the  Bible,  they  said 
they  should  like  to  hear  more  of  them  ; and  es- 
pecially what  Yancumpon,  “ God,”  liked,  and 
what  he  disliked ; and  seemed  much  pleased 
when  I told  them  I should  be  happy  to  preach 
to  them  again  whenever  they  pleased. 

Knowing  their  jealous  disposition,  I thought 
it  prudent  to  make  them  as  sensible  as  I possi- 
bly could  of  the  disinterested  character  of  my 
mission.  I therefore  told  them  that  it  was  my 
love  to  God  and  the  souls  of  my  fellow-creatures 
which  caused  me  to  leave  my  happy  native  land 
behind  me,  and  come  among  them  ; and  that 
this  love  was  the  fruit  of  my  having  embraced 
Christianity,  as  I was  once  as  ignorant  of  prac- 
tical religion  as  they  were,  and  did  not  feel  the 
desire  to  benefit  my  fellow-men  until  I had  re- 
pented of  my  own  sins  and  turned  to  God. 
On  hearing  this  they  were  struck  with  astonish- 
ment, and  said  that  the  religion  which  I thus 
recommended  to  them  from  practical  experience 
was  good.  There  were  about  five  hundred  per- 
sons present. 

DETENTION  AT  QUISSAH  ; REMOVAL  TO  FOMUNNAH. 

Monday , 11th.  I am  still  detained  at  Quis- 
sah,  waiting  for  an  answer  from  the  king  of 


BHSSIONS  IN  WESTERN  AFRICA.  35 

Ashantee  to  the  information  sent  him  the  other 
day  concerning  me.  I find  this  delay  to  be  a 
heavy  trial,  as  I am  anxious  to  return  to  our  so- 
cieties on  the  coast  as  early  as  possible.  I trust, 
however,  that  it  is  the  Lord’s  doing,  and  will  be 
productive  of  future  good. 

Tuesday , 12th.  The  Harmattan  is  very 
strong,  and  the  air  so  cold,  that  the  thermome- 
ter has  been  down  as  low  as  66°  (Fahrenheit) 
at  eight  o’clock  in  the  morning  for  several  days 
past.  This  I find  very  trying  to  my  constitu- 
tion ; my  lodging  place  being  a small  hut  or 
open  shed,  with  a thatch  of  palm  leaves,  so  thin 
that  I can  see  through  it  in  many  places.  I am 
continually  taking  cold,  but  I trust  that  I shall 
still  be  preserved  for  usefulness  in  this  danger- 
ous climate.  I often  see  many  of  my  people 
shivering  with  cold  at  six  o’clock  in  the  morning, 
much  more  than  I have  done  in  England  on  a 
cold  morning  in  January.  To-day  Corintchie 
again  sent  for  me  ; and  shortly  after  my  arrival 
at  his  residence  a messenger  arrived  from  Coo- 
massie  with  the  king’s  compliments,  also  a pre- 
sent of  nine  ackies  of  gold  dust,  £2  5s.  sterling, 
and  a promise  from  the  king  that  he  would  send 
for  me  in  a few  days,  during  which  time  the 
messenger  is  to  stay  with  me.  Corintchie 
having  made  me  the  offer  of  waiting  the  king’s 


36  MISSIONS  IN  WESTERN  AFRICA. 

pleasure  at  Fomunnah,  instead  of  Quissah,  l 
readily  embraced  it,  as  Fomunnah  is  much 
larger,  more  open,  and  healthy  than  Quissah. 
I consequently  removed  to  Fomunnah  in  the 
evening. 

Wednesday , 13th.  Since  my  arrival  in  Ash- 
antee,  the  fetishmen  seem  to  have  taken  the 
alarm.  A day  or  two  back  the  Quissah  fetish- 
man  said  that  the  town  was  in  danger  of  being 
destroyed  by  fire,  and  that  they  must  make  fe- 
tish to  ward  off  the  danger.  On  my  way  to 
Fomunnah  on  Sunday  last  I saw  the  path  lite- 
rally strewed  with  offerings  to  fetish  ; consisting 
of  boiled  eggs,  beads,  plantains,  &c.  This  is 
the  work  of  those  wretched  fetishmen,  whose 
employment  is  to  impose  on  the  weakness  of 
the  poor  deluded  people. 

Thursday,  14th.  At  eight,  A.  M.,  Corintchie 
sent  to  my  lodgings,  requesting  me  to  pay  him 
a visit.  I immediately  repaired  to  his  house, 
where  I found  him  seated  with  his  captains 
ready  to  receive  me.  He  informed  me  that  they 
were  waiting  to  hear  me  explain  some  of  the 
truths  of  Christianity.  Knowing  the  injurious 
effects  of  talking  much  in  this  climate  with  an 
empty  stomach,  I asked  Corintchie  to  excuse 
me  for  a few  minutes  while  I stepped  home  to 
take  my  breakfast,  which  I was  about  to  do  at 


■TT  ST.l  3 


# 


MISSIONS  IN  WESTERN  AFRICA.  39 

the  moment  he  sent  for  me.  After  hastily  taking 
breakfast,  I again  repaired  to  Corintchie’s  house, 
and  conversed  with  him  and  his  captains  on  the 
doctrine  of  the  general  resurrection,  on  which 
subject  their  minds  seemed  very  much  confused. 
By  divine  assistance  I succeeded  in  convincing 
them  of  the  possibility  of  such  an  event ; after 
which  I directed  their  attention  to  the  doctrine 
of  future  rewards  and  punishments. 

Friday , 15th.  About  eight  A.  M.,  Corintchie 
sent  to  make  every  inquiry  respecting  my  mis- 
sion, as  he  was  about  to  send  another  messen- 
ger to  the  king ; upon  which  I furnished  him 
with  all  necessary  information,  and  handed  to 
him  my  letter  of  recommendation  from  Presi- 
dent Maclean  to  the  king,  with  which  he  de- 
spatched the  messenger  in  the  course  of  the 
day. 

Saturday,  16th.  At  eight  A.  M.,  Corintchie 
paid  me  a visit  at  my  lodgings.  I swung  my 
iammock  (having  mended  it,  and  made  it  fit  for 

e again)  under  a large  banyan  tree  in  the 
principal  street  in  the  town,  where  a group  of 
the-natives  soon  collected  around  me.  I soon 
fell  into  Conversation  with  them  concerning  some 
superstitious  offerings,  consisting  of  soup  made 
with  the  palm  nut,  eggs,  &c.,  which  I saw  pre* 
paring  near  me  for  an  offering  to  fetish.  Upon 


40  MI-SSrONS  IN’  WESTERN  AFRICA. 

my.questioning  them  on  the  matter,  they  seemed 
confident  that  it  was  just  and  right  for  them  to 
do  so ; but  when  I pointed  out  to  them  the  folly 
of  these  heathenish  observances,  &c.,  they 
seemed  convinced  of  it,  and  said  their  fetishmen 
told  them  nonsense,  and  deceived  them. 

Sunday , 17th.  Blessed  be  God,  through 
whose  good  providence  I was  born  in  a Chris- 
tian country ! 

“ Thine ’s  the  sabbath  peace,  my  land, 

And  thine  the  guarded  hearth.” 

How  amazing  the  difference  between  England 
and  Ashantee!  Here  no  village  bell,  sweetly 
sounding  “ across  the  daisied  mead,”  invites  the 
humble  Christian  to  the  sanctuary  of  God.  Here, 
it  may  be  presumed,  no  hymn  of  praise  ascends 
from  the  natives  of  this  country  to  their  Creator ; 
no  house  of  prayer  is  seen  standing  with  its 
doors  wide  open,  inviting  man  to  share  in  its 
sacred  immunities.  May  the  happy  day  soon 
arrive,  when  even  over  this  sanguinary  country 
the  olive  wand  of  sacred  peace  shall  be  triumph- 
antly extended ! 

In  the  afternoon  I sent  to  inform  Corintchie 
that  we  were  about  to  commence  the  worship 
of  God  at  my  lodgings,  and  that  I should  be  glad 
if  he  would  join  us.  He  immediately  came, 
amended  by  his  captains,  &c.  God  was  present 


MISSIONS  IN  WESTERN  AFRICA.  41 

with'  us  by  the  gracious  influence  of  his  Holy 
Spirit  on  our  hearts  ; and  the  minds  of  many 
present  seemed  deeply  impressed  with  the  so- 
lemnity of  the  service. 

Monday , 18th.  In  the  evening  one  of  Co- 
rintchie’s  captains  made  me  a present  of  a pot 
of  palm  wine. 

HUMAN  SACRIFICES  IN  FOMUNNAH  ; SUPERSTITIOUS 
OBSERVANCES. 

Tuesday , 19th.  Last  night  a sister  of  Co- 
rintchie  died,  after  a long  sickness.  Her  death 
was  announced  by  the  firing  of  muskets,  and  the 
“ mourners  going  about  the  streets.”  When  an 
Ashantee  of  any  distinction  dies,  several  of  the 
deceased’s  slaves  are  sacrificed.  This  horrible 
custom  originates  in  some  shadowy  ideas  of  a 
future  state  of  existence,  in  which  they  imagine 
that  those  who  have  departed  hence  stand  in 
need  of  material  food,  clothing,  &c.,  the  same 
as  in  the  present  world  ; and  that  as  a vast 
number  of  concubines,  slaves,  &c.,  are  the  chief 
marks  of  superiority  among  them  here,  so  it  must 
also  be  in  a future  state.  Accordingly,  as  I 
walked  out  early  in  the  morning,  I saw  the 
mangled  corpse  of  a poor  female  slave,  who  had 
been  beheaded  during  the  night,  lying  in  the 
public  street.  It  was  partially  covered  with  a 
common  mat,  made  from  the  stem  of  the  plan- 


42  MISSIONS  IN  WESTERN  AFRICA. 

lain  tree  ; and  as  this  covering  is  unusual,  I 
concluded  that  it  was  thrown  over  it  merely  in 
order  to  hide  it  from  my  view.  In  the  course 
of  the  day  I saw  groups  of  the  natives  dancing 
round  this  victim  of  superstitious  cruelty,  with 
all  manner  of  frantic'  gestures,  appearing  to  be 
in  the  very  zenith  of  their  happiness.  In  the 
evening  I was  informed  that  as  Corintchie  and 
his  captains  did  not  wish  me  to  see  more  head- 
less trunks  lying  in  the  streets,  they  had  not 
sacrificed  any  other  persons  during  the  day,  but 
would  most  probably  do  so  during  the  night. 
I am  happy  to  say,  however,  that  I could  not 
ascertain  that  any  more  sacrifices  were  made. 
That  only  one  person  was  sacrificed,  I believe, 
resulted  entirely  from  my  presence  in  the  town. 

In  the  afternoon  I received  a present  of  palm 
wine,  plantains,  yams,  and  pine  apples,  from  one 
of  the  king  of  Ashantee’s  sisters, «who  is  paying 
a visit  in  a distant  croom,  her  place  of  general 
residence  being  Coomassie.  Throughout  the 
day  I saw  females  fantastically  dressed,  with 
their  faces  and  shoulders  daubed  over  with  red 
ochre,  parading  the  town  as  mourners  for  the 
deceased. 

Friday , 22d.  My  interpreter  informed  me, 
that  as  he  wras  going  from  Fomunnah  to  Quissah, 
he  saw  the  mangled  trunk  of  the  poor  sacrificed 


MISSIONS  IN  WESTERN  AFRICA.  43 

female  slave  lying  in  a ditch,  a few  hundred 
yards  from  the  town  ; and  that  at  the  time  she 
was  sacrificed  she  was  in  the  prime  of  her 
days.  Thus  exposed  to  public  view,  in  a 
ditch  near  the  common  road,  the  corpse,  de- 
prived of  its  head,  must  lie  and  putrefy,  unless 
the  turkey-buzzards,  or  some  beast  of  prey, 
devour  it. 

O thou  God  of  missions,  who  wiliest  not  that 
any  should  perish,  but  that  all  should  come  to 
the  knowledge  of  the  truth,  have  mercy  upon 
these  benighted  people  ! May  thine  everlasting 
gospel  speedily  spread  itself  through  the  length 
and  breadth  of  the  land,  and  chase  the  demon 
from  these  his  dark  abodes  of  cruelty ! 

Saturday , 23d.  Early  in  the  morning  the 
fetish  tune  was  played  through  the  town,  to 
collect  the  people  together  for  the  finishing  of 
the  “ custom”  for  Corintchie’s  sister.  In  the 
afternoon  nearly  all  the  principal  persons  in  the 
town  were  dressed  in  their  gayest  attire  : a large 
group  of  them  was  collected  under  the  fetish 
tree,  to  see  and  hear  the  fetishman,  while  he 
made  his  orations,  and  danced  to  the  sound  of 
several  drums,  which  were  played  by  females. 
The  appearance  of  the  fetishman  was  very  much 
like  that  of  a clown : his  face  was  bedaubed 
with  white  clay ; he  had  a large  iron  chain 


44  MISSIONS  IN  WESTERN  AFRICA. 

hanging  around  his  neck,*  which  seemed  to  be 
worn  as  a necklace  ; around  his  legs  were  tied 
bunches  of  fetish ; and  he  held  in  his  hand  an 
immense  knife,  about  fifteen  inches  long,  and 
two  and  a half  inches  broad.  Sometimes  he 
danced  with  many  frantic  gestures  ; and  at  other 
times  stood  gazing  around  him  with  every  indi- 
cation of  a vacant  mind..  While  I stood  at  a 
distance  looking  at  him,  he  set  out  and  ran  to  a 
distance  of  about  a hundred  yards.  Anxious  to 
keep  him  in  sight,  I walked  forward  past  a small 
shed  which  would  have  concealed  him  from  me, 
and  saw  him  standing  with  a musket  at  his 
shoulder  aiming  at  a turkey-buzzard  on  a tree 
hard  by.  Having  fired  without  hitting  his  mark, 
he  returned  to  the  tree  from  whence  he  started, 
and  began  to  make  a speech  to  the  people. 

It  is  at  these  public  meetings  that  these  men 
deliver  to  the  poor  deluded  people  the  messages 
which' they  pretend  they  have  received  from  the 
fetish  ; which  messages  are  received  by  the 
great  body  of  the  people  as  sterling  truth.  0 
man,  into  what  an  awful  state  of  degradation  art 
thou  fallen ! 

Sunday , 24th.  At  a quarter  past  seven  A.  M., 
I conducted  divine  service  at  my  quarters 

* I tried  some  time  afterward  to  get  this  chain  of  the 
fetishman  as  a curiosity,  but  could  not  succeed. 


MISSIONS  IN  WESTERN  AFRICA.  45 

Several  of  our  members  from  Cape  Coast,  who 
are  trading  in  the  * neighbourhood,  attended. 
During  the  service  Corintchie  came  to  pay  me 
a visit,  but  did  not  stay  until  the  conclusion. 
He  looked  wild  and  confused,  having  been  up 
during  the  whole  of  last  night  finishing  the 
custom  for  his  sister.  I believe  that  nearly 
every  person  in  the  town  has  been  up  the  whole 
night.  Nearly  all  those  whom  I saw  as  I walked 
out  in  the  evening  had  a sottish  appearance. 
At  half  past  four  P.  M.,  I again  conducted  divine 
service  at  my  quarters.  To  screen  myself  from 
the  oppressive  heat  of  the  day,  I went  to  my 
usual  place  of  retirement  on  the  skirts  of  the 
forest,  intending  to  swing  my  hammock  to  some 
of  the  trees,  and  remain  there  until  toward  even- 
ing. As  I approached  the  place,  I found  that 
the  air  had  a putrid  smell,  which  reminded  me 
that  I was  not  far  from  the  spot  where  the  body 
of  the  poor  sacrificed  female  had  been  thrown. 
Prudence  therefore  obliged  me  to  return  to  my 
quarters,  as  I could  find  no  other  place  suffi- 
ciently quiet  on  the  one  hand,  and  free  from 
large  ants  and  snakes  on  the  other. 

Tuesday , 26th.  I went  into  the  forest,  where 
I saw  some  very  large  monkeys,  and  several 
kinds  of  birds  of  the  most  exquisitely  beautiful 
plumage  imaginable. 


46  MISSIONS  IN  WESTERN  AFRICA. 

Wednesday,  27th.  I had  a long  conversation 
with  some  of  the  natives  on  the  subject  of  the 
general  resurrection,  and  of  the  injury  done  to 
their  country  by  human  sacrifices.  Many  of 
the  natives  seem  to  have  an  utter  dislike  to  this 
horrid  custom,  while  others  are  sunk  into  such 
a state  of  apathy  that  they  are  quite  indifferent 
about  it,  though  their  lives  as  well  as  others  are 
continually  in  danger. 

Thursday , 28th.  I paid  Corintchie  a visit, 
and  reasoned  with  him  closely  on  the  painful 
consequences  of  human  sacrifices  and  customs 
for  the  dead.  He  readily  acknowledged  the 
evil,  and  expressed  himself  as  ready  to  abolish 
it,  if  he  were  at  full  liberty  to  do  so ; but  he 
feared  the  king.  The  only  reason  he  could 
give  for  making  customs,  over  and  above  human 
sacrifices,  for  the  dead,  was  that  they  felt  very 
unhappy  when  they  lost  their  relatives  ami 
friends,  and  were  then  very  glad  to  have  re- 
course to  drunkenness  or  any  thing  which  would 
drive  gloomy  thoughts  from  their  minds  for  a 
season.  As  he  thus  gave  me  a good  opportunity 
of  directing  him  to  the  only  sure  refuge  for  a 
troubled  mind — the  consolations  of  true  religion 
— I told  him  God  alone  was  able  to  sustain  the 
human  mind  under  afflictions  and  bereavements. 
He  seemed  affected  with  what  I said  to  him. 


SACRIFICE  OF  A HUMAN  BEING 


MISSIONS  IN  WESTERN  AFRICA.  49 

In  the  evening  he  sent  me  a present,  consisting 
of  a sheep,  yams,  and  plantains. 

March  1st,  Friday.  Early  last  evening  the 
fetishman  called  many  of  the  people  together, 
and  continued  playing  his  drum  all  night ; the 
noise  of  which  disturbed  me  so  much  that  I had 
very  little  sleep  ; consequently,  I arose  this 
morning  so  unwell  that  I was  under  the  neces- 
sity of  going  to  bed  immediately  after  breakfast. 

Saturday , 2d.  To-day  another  human  victim 
was  sacrificed,  on  account  of  the  death  of  a per- 
son of  rank  in  the  town.  As  I was  going  out 
of  the  town  in  the  cool  of  the  evening  I saw  the 
poor  creature  lying  on  the  ground.  The  head 
was  severed  from  the  body,  and  lying  at  a short 
distance  from  it ; several  large  turkey-buzzards 
were  feasting  on  the  wounds,  and  literally  roll- 
ing the  head  in  the  dust.  This  unfortunate 
creature  appeared  to  be  about  eighteen  years  of 
age  ; a strong  healthy  youth,  who  might  in  all 
probability  have  lived  forty,  fifty,  or  even  sixty 
years  longer.  As  I returned  into  the  town,  1 
saw  that  they  had  dragged  the  body  to  a short 
distance,  and  put  it  into  the  ditch  where  the 
poor  female  slave  was  thrown  the  other  day 
On  my  conversing  with  some  of  the  natives 
concerning  the  horrible  nature  of  human  sacri- 
fices, they  said  they  themselves  did  not  like 


60  MISSIONS  IN  WESTERN  AFRICA. 

them,  and  wished  they  could  be  done  away 
While  the  poor  creature  was  lying  in  the  public 
street  many  of  the  people  were  looking  on  with 
the  greatest  indifference  ; indeed,  they  seem  to 
be  so  familiar  with  these  awful  and  bloody 
scenes  that  they  think  no  more  of  them — yea, 
they  do  not  think  so  much  of  them  as  they  would 
of  seeing  a dead  sheep,  dog,  or  monkey. 

Sunday , 3d.  About  half-past  seven  A.  M.,  I 
conducted  divine  service  at  my  lodgings,  and 
also  at  half-past  four  P.  M.  God  was  in  the 
midst  of  us. 

Tuesday , 5th.  This  afternoon  I received 
letters  containing  some  very  interesting  intelli- 
gence concerning  our  societies  on  the  coast. 
Blessed  be  God,  all  is  well  with  them. 

Thursday , 14th.  As  I was  returning  home 
from  my  afternoon  exercise,  (a  walk  in  the  for- 
est,) I saw  a splendid  species  of  epidendrum 
clinging  to  a tree,  at  a considerable  height  from 
the  ground.  Anxious  to  obtain  it  I sent  a per- 
son up  the  tree  for  that  purpose,  who,  while  in 
the  act  of  pulling  it  off,  espied  a venomous  snake 
in  a hole  nearly  close  to  his  hand.  It  did  not, 
however,  attempt  to  bite  him,  though  one  of  the 
worst  kind  of  snakes  ; and  the  man,  having 
pulled  off  the  plant,  descended  in  safety.  The 
country  abounds  in  snakes. 


MISSIONS  IN  WESTERN  AFRICA. 


51 


APPETITE  FOR ' BLOOD. 

Saturday , 16th.  The  Ashantees  are  very 
fond  of  eating  the  blood  of  beasts.  This  I 
learned  from  a scene  which  I witnessed  this 
morning.  Having  agreed  to  purchase  part  of 
an  ox  which  was  brought  into  the  town  for  sale, 
I had  felt  a curiosity  to  see  their  method  of 
slaughtering.  Soon  after  break  of  day  the  owner 
sent  to  inform  me  that  they  were  ready  to  slaugh- 
ter the  ox ; but  as  I was  afraid  of  the  damps, 
(much  rain  having  fallen  during  the  night,)  I 
sent  my  interpreter  to  see  it  killed,  who  soon 
returned  to  inform  me  that  the  beast  was  too 
strong  for  them  ; so  that  instead  of  tying  it  down 
and  cutting  the  throat,  they  would  be  obliged  to 
shoot  it.  I hereupon  put  on  my  cloak,  and  re- 
paired to  the  place  where  the  beast  was,  to  see 
how  they  would  proceed.  It  was  standing  about 
twenty  yards  from  the  man  who  was  preparing 
to  shoot  it.  The  first  shot  was  fired  without 
effect ; the  second  wounded  it  in  the  shoulder ; 
which  they  no  sooner  perceived  than  forty  or 
fifty  men  surrounded  it.  Some  caught  it  by  the 
horns,  some  by  the  tail — and  thus  they  endea- 
voured to  drag  it  along  the  ground,  to  a conve- 
nient place  for  cutting  it  up.  The  beast,  how- 
ever, soon  recovered  strength,  and,  rising  upon 


52  MISSIONS  IN  WESTERN  AFRICA. 

its  feet,  kicked  on?  man  down,  and  made  the 
others  escape  in  every  direction.  On  seeing 
this  I loaded  my  fowling  piece  with  a ball,  and 
shot  it  in  the  head,  which  soon  stopped  it.  It 
was  no  sooner  on  the  ground  than  the  greatest 
uproar  ensued.  A number  nf  them  (ten  or 
twelve)  stood  over  it  with  immense  knives, 
which  they  flourished  around  them  while  quar- 
relling about  the  blood  ; a few  of  them  wishing 
to  cut  off  the  head  immediately,  while  the  others 
wished  to  catch  as  much  blood  as  they  could 
before  it  died.  I verily  believe  that  for  the  sake 
of  the  blood,  they  would  have  let  the  poor  ani- 
mal bleed  and  suffer  for  half  an  hour,  if  I had 
not  been  present  to  urge  them  to  kill  it.  On 
inquiry  why  they  clamoured  for  the  blood  in 
such  a manner,  I learned  that  they  were  so  fond 
of  it  as  to  make  stews  with  it.  Their  chief 
food,  however,  is  soup  made  from  the  palm  nut, 
boiled  up  with  dried  fish  or  the  flesh  of  the 
monkey  ; to  which  they  add  a kind  of  pudding, 
(native  name,  f oof oo,)  made  with  the  green  fruit 
of  the  plantain  tree,  (musa  paradisiaca,)  which 
they  first  boil,  and  then  pound  with  a large 
wooden  pestle  and  mortar.  These  mills  are  to 
be  heard  going  in  almost  every  house,  while 
passing  through  the  town  during  certain  hours 
of  the  day.  This  work  is  generally  performed 


MISSIONS  IN  WESTERN  AFRICA.  53 

by  females,  one  of  them  using  the  pestle,  and 
the  other  keeping  the  food  in  a lump  by  plying 
it  with  her  hands,  that  the  pestle  may  act  more 
effectually.  The  same  method  is  practised  in 
Fantee  ; but  the  Fantees  are  not  obliged  to  use 
the  plantain  so  much  as  the  Ashartfees,  as  they 
have  plenty  of  Jndian  corn,  ( zea  mays,)  with 
which  they  make  both  bread  and  puddings. 
The  Ashantees  have  a tolerable  supply  of  sheep, 
which  they  seldom  use  for  any  other  purpose 
than  that  of  making  sacrifices  to  fetish.  They 
have  also  plenty  of  fine  poultry,  which  they 
keep  for  the  sake  of  the  eggs,  abundance  of 
which  they  offer  to  fetish.  While  travelling 
through  the  sombre  gloom  of  the  forest,  the 
crowing  of  chanticleer,  a sure  indication  that  a 
croom  is  at  hand,  is  very  pleasing.  The  ave- 
rage price  of  a fowl  in  Ashantee  is  Is.  3d.,  of  an 
ox  £b,  and  of  a sheep  £1  15s. 

PREACHING  AND  FURTHER  PROCEEDINGS  AT  FOMUNNAH. 

Sunday,  17th.  At  half  past  nine  A.  M.,  I 
conducted  divine  service  at  my  lodgings ; after 
which  I felt  the  air  so  cold,  (occasioned  by  a 
strong  Harmattan,)  that  I was  obliged  to  put 
on  a warm  cloth  dress.  In  the  afternoon  I 
again  conducted  divine  service,  and  preached 
from  Matthew  xix,  17,  “If  thou  wilt  enter  into 


54  MISSIONS  IN  WESTERN  AFRICA. 

life,  keep  the  commandments.”  Corintchie  and 
several  of  his  captains  were  present,  and  ap- 
peared much  excited  during  the  sermon  ; but 
more  especially  during  that  part  in  which  I 
explained  to  them  the  commandments  contained 
in  the  decalogue.  They  often  stopped  me  in 
my  discourse  to  ask  questions ; among  which 
was  the  following,  “ Is  the  offering  of  human  sa- 
crifice murder  ?”  I answered,  “ It  is  even  so  ; 
and  you  will  henceforth  be  left  without  excuse, 
if  you  still  persist  in  that  horrible  practice  .” 
After  I had  directed  their  attention  to  the  ex- 
cellence of  the  ten  commandments,  especially 
describing  the  temporal  and  spiritual  blessings 
which  the  consecration  of  the  Christian  sab- 
bath is  calculated  to  introduce  among  mankind, 
I proposed  the  following  question,  “ Who  are 
the  happiest  persons,  those  who  conscientiously 
keep  God’s  commandments,  or  those  wrho  wil- 
fully break  them  ?”  They  answered,  without 
hesitation,  “ Those  who  keep  them.”  And  I 
verily  believe  that  this  answer  was  given  in 
sincerity,  as  they  appeared  to  be  deeply  im- 
pressed with  the  solemnity  of  the  discourse. 

Monday^  8th.  “ How  excellent  is  thy  loving 
kindness,  O God!”  Truly  God  is  good.  Al- 
though I am  in  a sickly  clime,  and  exposed  to 
many  peculiar  dangers,  yet  howr  trifling  are  my 


MISSIONS  IN  WESTERN  AFRICA.  55 

sufferings  ! Indeed,  they  are  not  worthy  to  be 
mentioned.  “ Bless  the  Lord,  O my  soul !” 

Tuesday , 19th.  Corintchie  came  to  pay  me 
a*  visit,  when  I embraced  the  opportunity  of  re- 
freshing his  memory  concerning  the  discourse 
which  he  heard  on  Sunday  last.  Remembering 
the  fourth  commandment,  he  said  he  had  always 
thought  that  God  had  appointed  different  days  to 
be  kept  sacred  by  different  nations  ; such  as  one 
day  for  the  Ashantees,  another  for  the  Fantees, 
another  for  tho  Warsaws,  &c. ; and,  if  so,  the 
keeping  of  the  Christian  sabbath  was  not  bind- 
ing upon  the  Ashantees.  I told  him  there  is 
now  but  one  day  which  God  has  consecrated 
and  set  apart  for  his  special  worship ; and  that 
the  observance  of  that  day  is  binding  upon  all 
men  who  are  favoured  with  information  con- 
cerning it. 

Wednesday,  20th.  This  morning  Corintchie 
paid  me  another  visit,  when  the  subject  on  which 
we  conversed  yesterday  was  again  resumed. 
During  our  conversation  he  appeared  more 
deeply  convinced  of  the  truth  than  he  did  yes- 
terday, and  requested  me  to  accongypany  him  to 
his  residence.  After  we  had  taken  our  seats 
in  his  house,  our  former  topic  of  discourse  was 
again  resumed.  While  we  were  conversing, 
several  of  his  captains,  and  the  king’s  messen- 


56  MISSIONS  IN  WESTERN  AFRICA. 

ger,  a respectable  old  man,  joined  us.  As  some 
of  them  still  thought  that  the  Christian  sabbath 
was  not  intended  for  them,  I asked  them  to  prove 
the  truth  of  what  Corintchie  had  stated  yester- 
day, namely,  “That  God  had  set  apart  different 
days  for  different  nations.”  They  then  said 
that  there  was  a person  in  the  interior  who  had 
lived  ever  since  the  creation  of  the  world  ; and 
that  he  knew  these  things,  and  could  prove  them. 
I told  them  I should  very  much  like  to  see 
him.  Upon  their  hinting  that  they  feared  they 
would  expose  themselves  to  much  danger  as  a 
nation,  by  giving  up  their  fetish  days,  and  keep- 
ing the  sabbath,  I endeavoured  to  convince  them 
that  their  fears  were  groundless,  and  that,  so 
far  would  it  be  from  bringing  a curse  upon  the 
nation,  God  would  abundantly  bless  them ; 
and  I referred  them  to  England  as  a proof  of 
my  assertion.  I told  them  what  England  was 
once,  in  its  state  of  heathen  barbarism,  and  of 
the  mighty  change  which  it  has  experienced 
since  the  introduction  of  Christianity.  This 
argument  was  too  strong  for  them,  and  they 
consequently  gave  up  the  point. 

Thursday , 21st.  This  morning  I paid  Co- 
rintchie a visit,  and  found  him  seated  in  com- 
pany with  several  of  his  captains  and  the  king’s 
messenger.  I entered  into  conversation  with 


MISSIONS  IN  WESTERN  AFRICA.  57 

them  concerning  my  long  detention  at  Fomun- 
nah,  and  the  importance  of  my  seeing  the  king 
and  returning  to  Cape  Coast  before  the  com- 
mencement of  the  rainy  season.  I told  them  that 
I fancied  some  bad  persons  about  the  king  were 
endeavouring  to  frighten  him,  by  telling  him 
that  I was  come  into  the  country  as  a spy  ; and 
that  it  would  be  my  duty  to  turn  aside,  and  carry 
the  glad  tidings  of  salvation  to  another  nation, 
if  I found  them  averse  to  receiving  the  truth. 
At  this  they  seemed  very  much  concerned  ; and 
said  they  felt  no  disposition  to  oppose  the  intro- 
duction of  Christianity  among  them,  and  that 
they  believed  the  king  would  also  be  glad  to 
hear  the  truths  of  the  gospel,  and  that  he  would 
wish  me  to  stay  a long  time  in  Coomassie,  after 
my  arrival  and  first  interview. 

In  the  afternoon  I rambled  through  the  thicket 
to  the  summit  of  a distant  hill,  where  one  of  the 
most  splendid  pieces  of  scenery  I ever  saw 
burst  upon  my  view.  The  bush  on  the  summit 
being  rather  low,  I had  an  opportunity  of  view- 
ing the  surrounding  country,  in  some  directions, 
for  several  miles.  Down  the  sloping  sides  of 
the  hill  the  splendid  plantain  tree  was  luxuriat- 
ing and  waving  its  beautiful  foliage  before  the 
balmy  zephyrs  which  whispered  around.  Then 
followed  the  delightful  vale,  winding  to  the 


58  MISSIONS  IN  WESTERN  AFRICA. 

right  and  left,  studded  with  gigantic  silk-cotton 
trees,  acacia  mimosa,  with  an  endless  variety  of 
climbers,  chiefly  papilionaceous,  running  up  and 
reclining  on  the  topmost  branches,  descending 
and  embracing  the  earth,  and  again  ascending  to 
the  top — that  portion  of  their  stems  between 
the  ground  and  the  high  branches  of  the  trees 
appearing  like  immense  cables.*  Beyond  the 
valley  were  seen  other  hills  rising  in  the  dis- 
tance, clothed  with  the  most  beautiful  verdure 
to  their  very  summits,  except  here  and  there 
a small  spot  cleared  by  the  natives  for  the  pur- 
pose of  cultivating  yams,  &c.  While  I stood 
gazing  on  this  scene  of  splendid  though  wild 
luxuriance, 

“ I felt  an  inward  bliss  spring  o’er  my  heart.” 

Even  the  Fantees  who  were  with  me,  whose 
ideas  as  to  the  beauties  of  nature  are  generally 
bounded  by  the  skirts  of  the  forest  which  girt 
their  little  croom,  expressed  their  participation 
in  the  satisfaction  which  I enjoyed,  by  exclaim- 
ing in  the  native  tongue,  Oyafieu  doodo,  “It  is 
very  handsome.”  “ These  are  thy  glorious 
works,  Parent  of  good,  Almighty.”  But  alas  ! 

* These  stems  are  so  strong  that  a man  may  climb  up 
them  with  the  greatest  ease  and  safety.  In  more  than  one 
instance  I have  sent  a man  up  them  to  get  some  of  the 
numerous  orchidea  growing  on  the  large  trees. 


MISSIONS  IN  WESTERN  AFRICA.  59 

how  painful  is  the  reflection,  “ Man  seems  the 
only  growth  that  dwindles  here  !”  What  dark 
lines  on  these  fair  colours  are  the  habitations 
of  cruelty,  superstition,  and  death ! In  vain  do 
the  pretty  jessamine,  jasminium  gracile , and 
other  odoriferous  flowers  perfume  the  air,  while 
man  murders  his  brother,  and  taints  the  atmo- 
sphere with  the  noxious  effluvia  arising  from 
the  putrefying  carcass  of  the  mangled  victim 
of  his  superstition  and  cruelty.  O thou  Al- 
mighty Being ! hasten  the  day  when  even  san- 
guinary Ashantee  shall  be  evangelized  ; when 
its  repentant  inhabitants  “ shall  go  out”  of  cap- 
tivity “ with  joy,  and  be  led  forth  with  peace 
when  these  “ mountains  and  hills  shall  break 
forth  before  them  into  singing and  when  “ all 
'the  trees  of  the  field  shall  clap  their  hands.” 

During  this  interesting  ramble  I found  a pretty 
variety  of  amarillis  albus  in  full  bloom.  I also 
saw  a tree,  or  rather  a shrub,  at  a short  distance, 
but  to  which  I could  not  conveniently  get  near, 
on  account  of  the  thick  underwood,  which  ap- 
peared, by  its  almost  naked  stem  and  beautiful 
scarlet  flowers,  to  be  a species  of  eryihrina . 
At  the  foot  of  the  hill  is  a small  rivulet,  over- 
hung by  trees  covered  with  mosses  and  ferns, 
some  of  the  latter  of  which  are  very  fine. 

Friday , 22d.  I informed  Corintchie  that  I 


60  MISSIONS  IN  WESTERN  AFRICA. 

should  soon  be  under  the  necessity  of  returning 
to  the  coast.  In  answer  to  this  he  said  that  he 
expected  a messenger  down  from  Coomassie 
on  Tuesday;  but  was  not  quite  certain  of  his 
coming  so  early.  I consequently  agreed  to 
wait  until  after  Sunday  before  I made  any  ar- 
rangements for  returning. 

Saturday,  23d.  How  true  and  faithful  is  the 
Lord ! In  what  a large  degree  do  I realize  the 
truth  of  the  promise,  “ As  thy  days,  so  shall  thy 
strength  be  !”  Notwithstanding  my  long  deten- 
tion in  this  place  I feel  no  tedium : — 

“ With  me  no  melancholy  void, 

No  period  lingers  unemploy ’d.” 

Sunday , 24th.  At  half  past  nine  A.  M.,  I 
read  prayers,  and  preached  from  Prov.  xii,  21. 
Our  little  congregation  was  very  attentive.  In 
the  afternoon  I held  a long  conversation  with 
several  heathens  and  Christians,  who  are  tra- 
velling with  me,  concerning  the  salvation  of 
their  souls.  It  was  a solemn  and  delightful 
service,  and  lasted  about  two  hours.  In  the 
evening  I administered  the  holy  sacrament  of 
the  Lord’s  supper  to  the  members  of  our  society. 
In  this  sacred  ordinance  I found  my  soul 
strengthened  ; and  I believe  many  felt  it  to  be 
a refreshing  service.  A heavy  tornado  was 
raging  around  us,  and  the  lightning  was  glaring 


MISSIONS  IN  WESTERN  AFRICA.  61 

into  our  little  sanctuary  ; but  while  the  elements 
were  raging  we  were  in  peaceful  and  happy 
serenity. 

OBSTACLES  TO  PROCEEDING  FURTHER  IN  ASHANTEE  , 
RETURN  TO  QUISSAH. 

Monday , 25th.  I called  on  Corintchie,  and 
informed  him  that  I had  made  up  my  mind  to 
commence  my  return  on  Wednesday  morning 
next,  if  I did  not  see  a messenger  from  the  king 
before  that  time.  As  he  appeared  careless 
about  what  I said,  I began  to  suspect  him  of  a 
treacherous  intention  to  keep  me  longer  on  the 
way  than  was  really  necessary,  and  therefore 
deemed  it  prudent  to  teach  him  that  I would  not 
be  detained  and  trifled  with  in  such  a manner. 
Consequently,  in  the  course  of  the  day  I re- 
packed my  boxes,  and  put  myself  in  a state  of 
readiness  for  returning.  In  the  evening  he 
(Corintchie)  came  with  his  two  linguists  and 
some  of  his  captains,  to  entreat  me  to  wait  an- 
other day  or  two,  before  I made  up  my  mind  to 
leave  ; which  I agreed  to  do,  upon  the  condition 
that  he  should  provide  a messenger  to  accom- 
pany the  sergeant  to  Coomassie,  with  a letter 
which  I intended  to  write  to  the  king,  on  the 
following  morning  ; and  after  he  had  used  every 
means  to  persuade  me  to  the  contrary,  he  con- 
sented with  much  reluctance. 


62  MISSIONS  IN  WESTERN  AFRICA. 

Tuesday , 26th.  Early  this  morning  I wrote 
a letter  to  the  king,  ordered  the  sergeant  to  pre- 
pare for  starting  to  Coomassie,  and  sent  to  Co- 
rintchie  to  inquire  if  his  messenger  was  ready. 
In  answer  to  this  he  said  he  had  sent  to  Quis- 
sah  for  the  king’s  path  keepers,  and  as  soon  as 
they  arrived  he  would  consult  with  them,  and 
let  me  have  a messenger.  Shortly  after  this,  I 
sent  a second  time,  and  received  the  same  an- 
swer. Feeling  satisfied  that  this  delay  was  in- 
tended for  the  purpose  of  frustrating  my  design, 
I thought  it  prudent  to  act  with  as  much  prompt- 
itude as  the  circumstances  of  the  case  would 
allow,  and  therefore  repaired  to  Corintchie’s 
house,  and  inquired  for  him,  but  was  informed 
that  he  was  not  within.  Every  thing  which  I 
saw  confirming  my  suspicions,  I went  from 
thence  to  the  residence  of  the  king’s  messenger, 
and  inquired  of  him  the  reason  of  the  delay  ; in 
answer  to  which  he  said  that  they  were  waiting 
for  the  linguists  belonging  to  other  chiefs  on  the 
way  to  Coomassie,  to  speak  with  them  also  be- 
fore they  prepared  a messenger.  At  this  I felt 
displeased,  seeing  plainly  that  all  this  was  said 
on  purpose  to  hinder  me  from  sending  to  the 
king,  or  from  going  either  backward  or  forward. 
I r<  turned  to  my  lodgings,  and  ordered  my  peo- 
ple to  get  ready  for  starting  back  to  Cape  Coast 


MISSIONS  IN  WESTERN  AFRICA.  63 

immediately  ; and  then  repaired  to  Corintchie’s 
house  again,  taking  the  precaution  of  sending 
one  of  my  attendants  toward  the  back  door  of 
the  house  to  see  if  Corintchie  would  attempt  to 
make  his  escape  out  of  my  sight  in  that  direction, 
as  I went  in  at  the  front  door.*  When  I ar- 
rived at  the  door,  I saw  one  of  the  linguists, 
who  said  Corintchie  was  not  within.  Not  sa- 
tisfied with  this  answer,  I stepped  into  the  house 
before  any  one  could  get  to  Corintchie  to  tell 
him  I was  coming,  and  found  him  leisurely 
taking  his  breakfast.  I then  upbraided  him  for 
his  unjust  conduct,  and  requested  a messenger 
as  soon  as  he  had  finished  his  breakfast.  On 
his  promising  to  settle  the  matter  immediately, 
I withdrew  into  another  apartment,  and  waited 
for  him  nearly  half  an  hour  : I then  sent  my  in- 
terpreter to  see  if  he  was  ready,  who  returned  to 
inform  me  that  Corintchie  had  finished  his  break- 
fast and  escaped.  Finding  that  he  was  trying 
to  get  the  mastery  over  me,  I saw  the  necessity 
of  securing  his  compliance  with  my  wishes,  by 
coming  to  the  determination  that  if  he  would  not 

* As  the  despotic  nature  of  the  government  under  which 
they  live  often  places  their  lives  in  danger,  all  the  Ashan- 
tee  chiefs,  captains,  &c.,  build  their  houses  in  such  a man- 
ner that  they  can  readily  escape  at  one  door  at  the  same 
moment  in  which  any  person  enters  at  tl  e other. 


64  MISSIONS  IN  WESTERN  AFRICA. 

let  messengers  go  forward,  I would  immediately 
go  backward.  Accordingly  I sent  to  one  of  the 
linguists  to  inform  him  of  my  intention,  returned 
to  my  lodgings,  and  began  to  start  my  people 
off  with  my  luggage.  While  I was  busily  en- 
gaged in  doing  this,  one  of  the  linguists  came 
and  begged  of  me  to  stop,  promising  that  a mes- 
senger should  be  immediately  provided  for 
Goomassie.  I answered,  “ Let  me  see  the 
messenger  ready  to  commence  his  journey 
without  delay,  or  I will  soon  be  out  of  the  town.” 
He  then  left,  saying  he  would  get  one  imme- 
diately ; but  I did  not  believe  him,  and  therefore 
continued  to  send  off  my  luggage.  He  came 
again,  saying,  “ The  messenger  is  nearly  ready.” 
I answered,  “ Let  me  see  him,”  but  no  messen- 
ger came.  Having  sent  off  all  my  people,  in- 
forming them  where  I wished  them  to  stop  for 
me  on  the  road,  I again  walked  to  Corintchie’s 
house,  to  take  my  leave  of  him ; he  appeared 
stupid,  brutal,  and  sullen,  and  would  not  give 
me  his  hand ; I consequently  turned  from  him, 
and  waited  a moment  to  tell  the  king’s  messen- 
ger I was  going.  Before  I parted  with  the 
messenger,  I asked  him  whether  he  did  not 
think  forty-six  days  a sufficient  length  of  time 
for  me  to  wait  patiently,  especially  as  I was 
getting  short  of  provisions,  and  the  rainy  season 


MISSIONS  IN  WESTERN  AFRICA.  65 

was  fast  approaching.  He  candidly  acknow- 
ledged that  I had  been  detained  too  long,  and 
that  he  could  not  blame  me  for  returning.  I had 
proceeded  but  a short  distance  on  my  way  when 
Corintchie  sent  begging  me  to  stop  and  speak 
with  him ; to  which  message  I thought  it  right 
not  to  pay  any  attention. 

When  I arrived  at  Quissah  I found  my  people 
waiting  for  me  in  the  street ; and  I again  ordered 
them  to  proceed.  While  so  doing,  the  chief 
(one  of  Corintchie’s  captains)  came  to  entreat 
me  to  stay  for  a day  or  two  at  Quissah.  This 
I should  have  had  no  objection  to  do,  had  I not 
been  aware  that  it  was  a scheme  of  Corintchie’s 
played  on  purpose  to  hinder  me  from  proceed- 
ing homeward ; but  as  I was  fully  aware  that 
this  was  the  case,  I again  proceeded  on  my  way, 
and  began  to  ascend  the  high  hill  which  sepa- 
rates the  Ashantee  and  Assin  countries.  When 
I was  about  half  way  up  the  high  hill,  one  of 
Corintchie’s  linguists  came  running  after  me, 
entreating  me  to  return,  saying  that  his  master 
was  very  sorry  for  what  he  had  done  ; that  if  I 
would  go  back,  the  messenger  should  be  pro- 
vided instantly ; and  that  he  should  travel  to 
Coomassie  during  the  night  by  torch-light  :*  but 
as  I thought  he  was  not  sufficiently  frightened, 
* To  travel  on  this  road  in  the  dark  would  be  verydan- 
5 


66  MISSIONS  IN  WESTERN  AFRICA. 

I still  proceeded  on  my  way.  Corintchie  no 
sooner  found  out  his  mistake  in  -supposing  that 
I would  allow  myself  to  be  played  with,  than  he 
became  very  much  alarmed,  and  applied  to  a 
Fantee  residing  in  Quissah,  whom  I knew  very 
well,  entreating  him  to  follow  after  me,  and  tell 
me  that  he  sincerely  begged  my  pardon,  and 
hoped  I would  forgive  him  and  return  ; and  that 
he  would  send  messengers  to  conduct  me  back. 
Notwithstanding  this,  I still  proceeded,  and  took 
up  my  lodgings  for  the  night  in  a small  croom, 
about  nine  miles  and  a half  from  Fomunnah. 
I had  scarcely  arranged  my  people  for  the  night, 
ere  several  messengers  arrived  from  Fomunnah 
and  Quissah,  among  whom  were  Corintchie’s 
two  linguists,  entreating  me  to  return  in  the- 
morning. 

The  croom  in  which  I lodged  was  very  small, 
containing  about  eight  or  nine  little  huts, scarcely 
affording  us  room  to  take  shelter  from  a tornado, 
which  commenced  soon  after  our  arrival.  The 
hut  which  I had  chosen  to  sleep  in  was  little 
more  than  six  feet  square.  Into  this  small 
place  I received  the  messengers,  to  shelter  them 
from  the  rain,  and  to  hear  their  tale.  They  re- 
presented Corintchie  as  very  unhappy  because 

gerous,  on  account  of  the  serpents  and  panthers  which  in- 
fest the  country. 


.MISSIONS  IN  WESTERN  AFRICA.  67 

I had  left  the  town  ;*  and  said  that  all  their 
lives  would  be  in  danger  if  I left  the  country. 
They  also  reminded  me  that  I came  into  the 
country  on  purpose  to  promote  their  happiness  ; 
and  said  they  hoped  I would  think  of  the  thou- 
sands of  their  fellow  countrymen  who  would  be 
benefited  by  the  introduction  of  Christianity 
among  them,  rather  than  of  the  insult  which 
Corintchie  had  offered  me.  These  were  of 
course  my  own  feelings  ; personally  I cared 
nothing  about  Corintchie’s  bad  conduct ; but  I 
knew  very  well  that  if  they  saw  any  thing  in 
my  behaviour  like  indecision,  they  would  give 
me  a great  deal  of  trouble,  and  thought  I had 
better  put  a stop  to  their  trifling  at  once.  I 
• therefore  continued  to  conceal  as  much  as  pos- 
sible any  wish  on  my  part  to  return  with  them, 
and  said  I would  still  proceed  homeward  until 
I had  crossed  the  Prah,  and  entered  Fantee; 
which  I really  thought  of  doing,  and  there  wait- 
ing for  a message  from  the  king. 

Fearing  lest  I should  put  this  design  into  exe- 
cution in  the  morning,  they  said  that  if  I would 

* I believe  this  to  have  been  the  truth,  as  I found  on 
my  return  that  Corintchie  had  actually  made  “ custom,” 
and  sat  up  during  the  whole  night,  playing  his  drums, 
drinking,  dancing,  &c.,  on  purpose  to  keep  the  thought 
of  my  departure  out  of  his  mind. 


68 


MISSIONS  IN  WESTERN  AFRICA. 


return,  Corintchie  would  allow  me  to  proceed 
to  within  a few  miles  of  Coomassie.  This  sa- 
tisfied me  that  he  was  at  last  sincerely  sorry 
for  what  he  had  done,  and  that  he  would  behave 
better  for  the  future.  I therefore  now  agreed 
to  return,  upon  condition  that  they  (the  messen 
gers)  should  provide  people  to  carry  my  luggage 
back,  so  that  my  hammock  men  might  be  at 
liberty  to  carry  me  to  the  foot  of  the  hill,  as  the 
journey  on  foot  would  have  been  exceedingly 
trying  to  me,  on  account  of  the  immense  hill 
over  which  I must  of  necessity  walk,  it  being 
too  steep  to  admit  of  my  being  carried  over  it.* 
To  this  they  readily  consented;  and  said  that 
as  a proof  of  their  sincere  anxiety  to  get  me 
back,  they  were  ready  even  to  carry  my  lug- 
gage themselves,  and  that  they  thanked  me  very 
much  for  my  kindness  in  consenting  to  return. 

JOURNEY  TO  THE  CAPITAL  RESUMED,  THROUGH  DOOMPASSIE, 
ACCOMCOWASSIE,  EDGEWABIN,  ESSARGOO,  AND 
FRANFRAHAM. 

Wednesday , 27th.  Early  after  break  of  day 
x returned  with  Corintchie’s  messengers,  and 

* The  labour  of  ascending  this  hill  is  so  great,  that  I 
was  obliged  to  clothe  myself  in  flannel,  to  avoid  taking 
old  from  a violent  perspiration,  occasioned  by  exertion, 
being  checked  by  the  keen  wind  on  the  summit ; which  I 
had  no  sooner  reached  than  I found  it  necessary,  in  addi- 
tion to  the  flannel,  to  wrap  myself  in  a cloak. 


MISSIONS  IN  WESTERN  AFRICA.  69 

had  only  been  in  the  town  half  an  hour  when  a 
messenger  arrived  from  the  king,  requesting  me 
to  proceed,  and  with  him  two  or  three  persons 
whom  Corintchie  had  expressly  despatched  to 
Coomassie  as  soon  as  he  found  me  determined 
to  go  back,  if  I were  not  permitted  to  go  forward. 
Corintchie  having  personally  acknowledged'his 
fault,  I of  course  freely  forgave  him,  and  every 
thing  was  finally  arranged  for  my  starting  to 
Coomassie  the  following  morning.  Though 
Corintchie  was  evidently  deserving  of  censure 
in  this  affair,  yet  I believe  that  much  of  it  arose 
from  jealousy  on  the  part  of  the  king,  who  is 
not  to  be  blamed,  when  we  consider  the  con- 
fused notions  which  he  must  have  concerning 
the  real  objects  of  a missionary,  together  with 
the  fact  that  he  is  surrounded  by  Moors,  whose 
great  object  it  would  be,  without  doubt,  to  poi- 
son his  mind,  and  put  a base  construction  on 
every  thing  connected  with  the  idea  of  the  intro- 
duction of  Christianity  into  his  dominions. 

Thursday , 28th.  About  eight  A.  M.  I com- 
menced my  journey,  and  travelled  through  a 
fine  fertile  country  of  diversified  hill  and  dale, 
full  of  luxuriant  vegetation,  and  studded  with 
immense  silk-cotton  and  other  forest  trees,  co- 
vered with  many  varieties  of  orchidea  and  cryp - 
togamia . At  nine  A.  M.  I stopped  in  a pretty 


70  MISSIONS  IN  WESTERN  AFRICA. 

little  town  called  Doompassie,  to  take  my  break- 
fast. I had  no  sooner  taken  my  seat  than  a 
large  group  of  the  natives  collected  around  me  ; 
but  on  my  taking  a telescope  to  look  at  some 
orchidea  on  a distant  tree,  they  all  began  to  run 
away,  supposing  that  I was  going  to  shoot  at 
them. 

At  half  past  three  I reached  the  small  town 
of  Accomcowassie,  and  took  lodgings  for  the 
night. 

Friday , 29th.  At  a quarter  past  eight  A.  M. 
I proceeded  on  my  way  through  a country  very 
similar  to  that  through  which  I passed  yester- 
day, crossing  several  small  rivers,  the  largest 
of  which  was  about  nine  yards  broad,  and  three 
feet  deep.  About  half  past  four  P.  M.  I passed 
through  Edgewabin,  one  of  the  largest  towns  I 
have  yet  seen  in  Ashantee,  but  in  a very  dilapi- 
dated state,  many  of  the  houses  being  tenantless 
and  tumbling  down.  At  half  past  five  P.  M. 
we  reached  the  small  eroom  of  Essargoo,  about 
nine  miles  distant  from  Coomassie,  having  had 
a long  and  trying  day’s  journey,  which  had  tired 
the  carriers,  &c.,  so  much,  that  several  of  them 
appeared  quite  exhausted.  As  for  myself,  I am 
mercifully  blessed  with  extraordinary  strength, 
so  that  I could  have  proceeded  several  miles 
further,  though  I had  already  walked  many  miles 


MISSIONS  IN  WESTERN  AFRICA.  71 

in  order  to  rest  the  hammock  men.  A mission- 
ary passing  up  to  Coomassie  is  so  strange  an 
occurrence  that  nearly  all  the  people  in  the  dif- 
ferent towns  and  crooms  through  which  I pass, 
turn  out  to  see  me  ; and  so  totally  ignorant  aro 
they  of  Christianity, — or  should  I not  say  of  any 
reasonable  way  of  worshipping  God  ? — that  they 
actually  run  away  when  they  see  us  engaging  in 
that  solemn  duty.  On  my  arrival  at  this  place 
a female  relative  of  the  king  brought  me  some 
palm  wine  in  a calabash  ; and  being  very  thirsty 
I took  a hearty  draught.  It  was,  I think,  the 
best  palm  wine  I have  tasted  since  I have  been 
in  Africa.  Many  of  the  natives  are  very  kind  ; 
I every  day  received  presents  from  some  of 
them,  consisting  of  palm  wine,  yams,  plan- 
tains, bananas,  ground  nuts,  &c.  The  banana 
is  a very  delicious  fruit,  and  not  so  likely  to 
cause  a superabundance  of  bile  as  some  other 
fruits. 

Saturday,  30th.  No  travelling  to-day.  Pre- 

ring  for  the  sabbath,  and  for  starting  forward 
*iaj mediately  after  the  arrival  of  another  message 
or  invitation  from  the  king.  I do  not  expect  to 
leave  this  place  until  Monday  morning,  as  the 
king  is  fully  aware  that  I will  not  travel  on  the 
sabbath  day. 

Sunday , 31st.  At  half  past  eight  A.  M,  I 


72  MISSIONS  IN  WESTERN  AFRICA. 

conducted  divine  service.  During  the  day, 
which  was  excessively  hot,  I saw  troops  pass- 
ing up  to  Coomassie  from  different  parts  of  the 
country.  The  passing  of  these  soldiers,  toge- 
ther with  a heavy  tornado  in  the  evening,  hin- 
dered us  from  having  any  afternoon  or  evening 
service.  About  six  P.  M.  a messenger  arrived 
to  inform  me  that  his  majesty  wished  me  to  pro- 
ceed early  the  following  morning. 

April  1st,  Monday.  Throughout  the  night  I 
was  disturbed  by  the  noise  made  by  the  troops 
as  they  passed  up  to  the  capital.  At  four  A.  M. 
we  commenced  our  journey.  The  morning  was 
so  very  damp  and  foggy,  that  a thick  November 
fog  in  England  could  scarcely  equal  it ; not- 
withstanding which,  the  heat  was  so  great  that 
I could  scarcely  bear  a light  Mackintosh  lightly 
thrown  over  me,  which  was  necessary  to  keep 
out  the  damps,  though  I was  only  clothed  in  a 
light  linen  dress. 

About  eight  A.  M.  we  reached  Franfraham,  a 
small  croom  about  a mile  and  a half  from  Coo- 
massie, (built  for  the  accommodation  of  stran- 
gers travelling  to  the  capital,)  having  halted  an 
hour,,  at  least,  on  the  road.  Here  I took  some 
refreshment,  and  waited  for  another  invitation 
from  the  king.  While  waiting,  we  held  a 
prayer  meeting,  for  the  purpose  of  imploring  the 


MISSIONS  IN  WESTERN  AFRICA.  73 

blessing  of  the  God  of  missions  upon  our  un- 
dertaking. 

For  several  days  past  I have  felt  an  inde- 
scribable sensation,  best  known,  I presume,  to 
those  whose  awful  employment  it  is  to  bear  the 
standard  of  the  cross,  “ to  proclaim  the  accept- 
able year  of  the  Lord,  and  the  day  of  vengeance 
of  our  God.”  “ Simon,  Simon,  behold,  Satan 
hath  desired  to  have  you  that  he  may  sift  you 
as  wheat ; but  I have  prayed  for  thee  that  thy 
faith  fail  not.”  “ Lo,  I am  with  you  alway,  even 
unto  the  end.” 

ENTRANCE  INTO  COOMASSIE,  AND  RECEPTION  BY  THE  KING. 

% 

At  two  P.  M.  a messenger  arrived  from  the 
king,  requesting  me  to  proceed  as  early  as  pos- 
sible. I immediately  dressed  myself ; and 
while  so  doing,  three  other  messengers  arrived, 
each  bearing  a gold  sword,  requesting  me  to 
hasten  forward.  I then  proceeded  toward  the 
town,  preceded  by  the  messengers,  and  some 
soldiers  bearing  arms.  Having  reached  the 
outside  of  the  town,  we  halted  under  a large 
tree,  and  there  waited  for  another  royal  invita- 
tion. In  a short  time  his  majesty’s  chief  lin- 
guist, Apoko,  came  in  a palanquin,  shaded  by 
an  immense  umbrella,  and  accompanied  by  mes- 
sengers bearing  canes  nearly  covered  with  gold, 


74  MISSIONS  IN  WESTERN  AFRICA. 

to  take  charge  of  my  luggage,  and  see  it  safe 
lodged  in  the  residence  intended  for  me.  All 
these  things  being  properly  arranged,  another 
messenger  arrived,  accompanied  by  troops,  and 
men  bearing  large  umbrellas,  requesting  me  to 
proceed  to  the  market  place.  “ The  king’s 
commandment”  being  “ urgent,”  we  pushed 
along  with  speed,  preceded  by  a band  of  music. 
As  soon  as  we  arrived  at  the  market  place,  I 
got  out  of  my  little  travelling  chair,  and  walked 
through  the  midst  of  an  immense  concourse  of 
persons,  a narrow  path  being  kept  clear  for  me, 
paying  my  respects  to  the  king  and  his  nume- 
rous chiefs  and  captains,  who  were  seated  on 
wooden  chairs,  richly  decorated  with  brass  and 
gold,  under  the  shade  of  their  splendid  umbrel- 
las, some  of  them  large  enough  to  screen  twelve 
or  fourteen  persons  from  the  burning  rays  of  the 
sun,  and  crowned  with  images  of  beasts  covered 
with  gold,  surrounded  by  their  troops  and  nume- 
rous attendants.  I was  occupied  for  half  an 
hour  in  walking  slowly  through  the  midst  of 
this  immense  assembly,  touching  my  hat  and 
waving  my  hand,  except  before  the  king,  in 
whose  presence  I of  course  stood  for  a moment 
uncovered.  I then  took  my  seat  at  a distance, 
accompanied  by  my  people,  and  several  re- 
spectable Fant.ee  traders  who  are  staying  in  the 


MISSIONS  IN  WESTERN  AFRICA. 


75 


town,  to  receive  the  compliments  of  the  king, 
&c.  according  to  their  usual  custom.  After  I 
had  taken  my  seat,  the*  immense  mass  began  to 
be  in  motion  ; many  of  the  chiefs  first  passed 
me  in  succession,  several  of  them  cordially 
shaking  me  by  the  hand,  accompanied  by  their 
numerous  retinue.  Then  came  the  officers  of 
the  king’s  household,  his  treasurer,  steward, 
&c.,  attended  by  their  people  ; some  bearing 
on  their  heads  massive  pieces  of  silver  plate, 
others  carrying  in  their  hands  gold  swords  and 
canes,  native  stools,  neatly  carved,  and  almost 
covered  with  gold  and  silver,  and  tobacco-pipes 
richly  decorated  with  the  same  precious  mate- 
rials. In  this  ostentatious  display,  I also  saw 
what  was  calculated  to  harrow  up  the  strongest 
and  most  painful  feelings,  the  royal  execution- 
ers, bearing  the  blood-stained  stools  on  which 
hundreds,  and  perhaps  thousands,  of  human  vic- 
tims have  been  •sacrificed  by  decapitation,  and 
also  the  large  death  drum,  which  is  beaten  at 
the  moment  when  the  fatal  knife  severs  the 
head  from  the  body,  the  very  sound  of  which 
carries  with  it  a thrill  of  horror.*  This  rude 

* The  language  of  this  drum  is  understood  by  the  natives 
whenever  they  are  within  hearing  ; so  that  they  are  as 
well  aware  of  the  moment  when  a sacrifice  is  made,  as 
though  they  were  on  the  very  spot.  While  the  king  was 


76  MISSIONS  IN  WESTERN  AFRICA. 

instrument,  connected  with  which  are  the  most 
dreadful  associations,  was  literally  covered  with 
dried  clots  of  blood,  and  decorated  (awful  sight!) 
with  the  jaw  bones  and  skulls  of  human  victims 
Then  followed  the  king,  Quacoe  Dooah,  under 
the  shade  of  three  splendid  umbrellas,  the  cloth 
of  which  was  silk  velvet  of  different  colours, . 
supported  by  some  of  his  numerous  attendants. 
The  display  of  gold  which  I witnessed,  as  his 
majesty  passed,  was  truly  astonishing.  After  the 
king,  followed  other  chiefs,  and  lastly  the  main 
body  of  the  troops.  This  immense  procession 
occupied  an  hour  and  a half  in  passing  before 
me.  There  were  several  Moors  in  the  proces- 
sion, but  they  made  by  no  means  a conspicuous 
appearance.  While  I was  sitting  to  receive  the 
compliments  of  some  of  the  first  chiefs  who 
passed,  his  majesty  made  me  a present  of  some 
palm  wine. 

I suppose  the  number  of  persons  which  I saw 
collected  together  exceeded  forty  thousand,  in- 
cluding a great  number  of  females.  The  wrists 

making  sacrifices  during  the  custom  for  his  brother,  I wa3 
in  a -distant  part  of  the  town  conversing  with  my  interpre- 
ter, who,  knowing  the  fatal  meaning  of  the  sound  of  the 
drum,  said,  “ Hark  ! Do  you  hear  the  drum!  A sacrifice 
has  just  been  made,  and  the  drum  says,  ‘ King,  I have 
killed  him  !’  ” 


MISSIONS  IN  WESTERN  AFRICA.  77 

of  some  of  the  chiefs  were  so  heavily  laden 
with  gold  ornaments  that  they  rested  their  arms 
on  the  shoulders  of  some  of  their  attendants. 

The  appearance  of  this  procession  was  ex- 
ceedingly grand  and  imposing.  The  contrast 
between  the  people  themselves  and  their  large 
umbrellas  (seventy  in  number)  of  various  co- 
lours, which  they  waved,  and  jerked  up  and 
down  in  the  air,  together  with  the  dark  green 
foliage  of  the  large  banian  trees,  under  and 
among  which  they  passed,  formed  a scene  of 
that  novel  and  extraordinary  character,  which 
I feel  unable  to  describe. 

I gazed  on  this  concourse  of  heathens  with  feel- 
ings of  sorrow  and  joy.  I sorrowed  in  the  reflec- 
tion that  most,  perhaps  all,  of  them  were  totally 
ignorant  of  the  great  Author  of  their  being,  with- 
out one  ray  of  divine  consolation  to  cheer  them 
amid  the  changing  scenes  of  this  visionary  world. 
Are  they  laid  on  a bed  of  languishing  ? They 
have  nothing  to  comfort  them,  or  buoy  up  their 
drooping  spirits.  Does  death,  which  stalks 
through  the  land  in  horrid  forms,  rob  them  of 
their  friends  ? Alas  for  them  ! they  must  sor- 
row as  men  without  hope.  They  never  hear  the 
shouts  of  departing  Christian  friends,  as  they 
ascend  the  steep  of  the  heavenly  Zion,  to  join 
the  church  triumphant  above.  Neither  do  they 


78  MISSIONS  IN  WESTERN  AFRICA. 

• 

see,  with  the  eye  of  faith,  the  blood-bought 
throng  standing  in  the  presence  of  God,  “ clothed 
with  white  robes,  and  palms  in  their  hands.” 
Does  death  stare  themselves  in  the  face,  and 
ask  the  panting  breath ? Alas  for  them!  they 
have  no  Christian  hope  beyond  the  grave, 
blooming  with  immortality.  Is  it  not  so  ? Tell 
it,  ye  murdered  human  victims,  whose  blood 
disfigures  the  streets,  and  whose  putrefying 
bodies  taint  the  air  ! Tell  it,  ye  midnight  revel- 
lers, who  vainly  strive  to  draw  the  anguish  from 
your  hearts  by  the  fumes  of  intoxication  ! Tell 
it,  ye  carniverous  birds,  and  ye  wild  beasts  of 
the  forest,  that  feed  on  the  mangled  corpses  of. 
the  thousands  of  victims  of  superstitious  cruelly ! 
And,  lastly,  tell  it,  ye  human  bones  that  lie 
bleaching  in  the  open  day ! 

Have  these  poor  victims  no  voice  ? Have 
they  no  tale  of  wo  to  tell  ? Methinks  I hear 
them  lifting  up  their  voices,  and  crying  to  Bri- 
tish Christians  especially,  “ Come,  pray  come, 
and  look  at  our  unhappy  country  ! See  how  it 
groans  beneath  the  iron  despotism  of  the  prince 
of  darkness ! It  is  true  that  it  is  a beautiful 
country,  its  fertile  soil  producing  a hundred 
fold ; but  what  avails  its  beauty  or  fertility, 
when  it  is  converted  into  one  immense  slaugh- 
ter house  ! O ye  who  enjoy  the  high  blessings 


* MISSIONS  IN  WESTERN  AFRICA.  79 

of  Christianity,  allow  us  to  entreat  you  to  direct 
your  energies  toward  this  scene  of  moral  deso- 
lation.” Thus  brooding  in  melancholy  o‘ver  the 
blood-stained  wilds,  fancy  carries  me  to  my  na- 
tive land,  where,  entering  into  a well-known 
place  in  imperial  London,  I hear  the  cause  of 
Christian  missions  ably  advocated,  in  the  pre- 
sence of  assembled  thousands,  whose  hearts 
burn  with  love  to  their  perishing  fellow-crea- 
tures. I hear  them  speaking  of  unhappy,  de- 
graded Africa  ; of  the  pressing  wants  of  its  pe- 
rishing millions  ; and  of  the  vital  importance  of 
increased  exertions  on  the  part  of  British  Chris- 
tians, for  the  extension  of  the  blessings  of  Chris- 
tianity among  this  mass  of  immortal  men.  Me- 
thinks  I hear  a resolution  moved  and  supported, 
that  much  more  shall  be  immediately  done  for 
Africa,  and  especially  for  Guinea.  Returning 
again  ,to  this  immense  field  of  labour,  I feel  en- 
couraged to  cry,  “ O ye  dry  bones,  hear  the  word 
of  the  Lord  !”  “ The  captive  of  the  mighty  shall 
’ be  taken  away,  and  the  prey  of  the  terrible  shall 
be  delivered.”  Yea,  “ He  that  sitteth  upon  the 
circle  of  the  earth,  and  the  inhabitants  thereof, 
are  as  grasshoppers ; that  stretcheth  out  the 
heavens  as  a curtain,  and  spreadeth  them  out 
as  a tent  to  dwell  in.”  He  hath  said,  “ Ethio- 
pia shall  stretch  out  her  hands  unto  God.n 


80  MISSIONS  IN  WESTERN  AFRICA. 

“ Enlarge  the  place  of  thy  tent,  and  let  them 
stretch  forth  the  curtains  of  thine  habitations  ; 
spare  hot,  lengthen  thy  cords,  and  strengthen 
thy  stakes.  For  thou  shalt  break  forth  on  the 
right  hand  and  on  the  left ; and  thy  seed  shall 
inherit  the  Gentiles,  and  make  the  desolate  cities 
to  be  inhabited.”  O ye  dry  bones,  hear  the 
words  of  the  Lord’s  people  ! Their  prayer  for 
you  to  God,  our  Saviour,  is, 

“ The  servile  progeny  of  Ham, 

Seize  as  the  purchase  of  thy  blood.” 

Yes,  for  Africa  they  pray,  and  over  Africa  they 
weep.  A brighter  day  is  approaching ; a day 
when  the  death  drum  shall  give  place  to  the  Bi- 
ble ; and  when  instead  of  feeling  the  terror  and 
dismay  carried  in  the  footsteps  of  the  bloody 
executioner,  the  peaceful  native  shall  exclaim, 
“ How  beautiful  upon  the  mountains  are  the  feet 
of  him  that  bringeth  good  tidings,  that  publish- 
ed peace,  that  bringeth  good  tidings  of  good, 
that  publisheth  salvation  ; that  saith  unto  Zion, 
Thy  God  reigneth !” 

“ The  watchmen  join  their  voice, 

And  tuneful  notes  employ  : 

Jerusalem  breaks  forth  in  songs, 

And  deserts  learn  the  joy.” 

The  arduous  duties  of  the  day  being  over,  I 
immediately  repaired  to  my  quarters ; and 


MISSIONS  IN  WESTERN  AFRICA.  81 

spreading  a cloth  upon  the  floor,  sunk,  tired  and 
weary,  into  the  arms  of  sleep. 

Tuesday , 2d.  I rested  myself,  and  arranged 
things  in  my  new  quarters. 

Wednesday , 3d.  This  being  the  king’s  fetish 
day,  I heard  nothing  from  him.  Tw°  Moors 
visited  me,  and  told  me  they  came  from  Mosou. 

Thursday , 4th.  This  morning  the  king  sent 
his  linguists  (some  of  whom  were  heavily  laden 
with  golden  ornaments)  to  make  every  inquiry 
as  to  my  object  in  visiting  him.  I gave  them 
all  necessary  information  ; but  found  much  dif- 
ficulty in  making  them  understand  me.  And 
no  wonder ; for  how  can  those  who  are  buried 
in  superstition,  and  who  witness  scarcely  any 
thing  but  Scenes  of  cruelty  arising  from  that 
superstition,  form  any  just  idea  of  the  motives 
which  stimulate  the  Christian  missionary  to  visit 
them  ? 

“ O that  they  were  wise,  that  they  understood 
this  !” 

Friday , 5th.  Finding  the  place  where  I am 
quartered  intensely  hot,  I sent  my  people  into 
the  forest  to  get  materials  for  erecting  a bower, 
to  protect  me  from  the  burning  rays  of  the  sun.* 

* My  lodgings  were  very  small,  containing  about  ten 
small  sheds  of  the  average  size  of  six  feet  by  seven,  each 
having  only  one  opening,  and  that  into  a small  yard,  about 
6 


82 


MISSIONS  IN  WESTERN  AFRICA. 


HUMAN  SACRIFICES  IN  COOMASS1E. 

This  morning  I received  information  that  the 
king  had  lost  one  of  his  relatives  by  death,  and 
that  in  consequence  thereof  four  human  victims 
were  already  sacrificed,  and  their  mangled  bo- 
dies lying  in  the  streets.  I therefore  concluded 
that  I should  not  have  an  opportunity  of  seeing 
the  king  for  a day  or  two.  Shortly  afterward 
I saw  Apoko,  the  chief  linguist,  and  told  him 
that  I was  aware  that  there  was  bloody  work 
going  on  to-day,  as  I saw  a number  of  large 
hawks  and  turkey  buzzards  hovering  over  a 
certain  spot,  where  I judged  these  poor  victims 
were  lying.  “ Wheresoever  the  carcass  is 
there  will  the  eagles  be  gathered  together.” 
He  said  it  was  even  so,  and,  in  consequence 
thereof,  I should  not  have  an  opportunity  of 
seeing  the  king  to-day,  and  perhaps  not  to-mor- 

nine  or  ten  feet  square,  in  which  no  breeze  could  be  felt. 
Surrounding  one  of  these  small  yards,  there  are  generally 
from  two  to  four  of  these  small  sheds,  the  whole  premises 
being  connected  by  small  doors  leading  out  of  one  yard 
into  another.  In  this  small  place  I had  about  twenty  per- 
sons ; such  as  carriers,  hammock  men,  dec.  And  what 
increased  the  heat  was,  that  they  were  here  obliged  to 
make  their  fires  for  dressing  their  food.  This  place,  bad 
as  it  was,  was  one  of  the  best  that  could  be  procured  for 
me,  unless  I had  gone  up  into  the  very  heart  of  the  town, 
which,  for  many  reasons,  would  not  have  been  prudent. 


MISSIONS  IN  WESTERN  AFRICA.  S3 

row.  I told  him  that  I did  not  like  the  being 
confined  at  one  small  place,  in  a low,  unhealthy 
part  of  the  town  ; and  that  I must  walk  out  and 
take  exercise,  otherwise  ray  health  would  suffer. 
I also  told  him  that  I was  anxious  to  commence 
my  journey  home  to  the  coast  on  Monday  next. 
On  hearing  this,  he  went  immediately  to  the 
king,  and  informed  him  of  what  I said  ; shortly 
after  which  he  returned,  accompanied  by  two 
messengers,  (one  of  them  bearing  in  his  hand 
an  immense  gold  sword,  to  which  was  fastened 
a golden  decanter,  which  would  hold  about  a 
pint,)  stating  that  his  majesty  begged  of  me  not 
to  go  out  into  the  town  to-day,  as  he  was  mak- 
ing a custom  for  a departed  relative,  and  he 
knew  Europeans  did  not  like  to  see  human  sa- 
crifices ; but  that  he  did  not  wish  to  keep  me 
from  seeing  his  capital  ; that  he  was  fully  satis- 
fied my  object  was  to  do  good  ; and  that  he 
would  see  me  as  soon  as  the  custom  was  over. 
I,  of  course,  complied  with  his  wishes,  and  made 
up  my  mind  to  wait  patiently. 

Throughout  the  day  I heard  the  horrid  sound 
of  the  death  drum,  and  was  informed  in  the 
evening  that  about  twenty-five  human  victims 
had  been  sacrificed  ; some  in  the  town,  and 
some  in  the  surrounding  villages,  the  heads  of 
those  killed  in  the  villages  being  brought  into 


84  MISSIONS  IN  WESTERN  AFRICA. 

the  town  in  baskets.  I fear  there  will  be  more 
of  this  awful  work  to-morrow. 

Saturday , 6th.  This  morning  I again  talked 
of  walking  out  into  the  town,  when  Apoko  in- 
formed me  that  more  sacrifices  would  be  made 
during  the  day,  and  that  I must  not  go  out  until 
to-morrow.  I therefore  remained  in  my  quar- 
ters until  the  afternoon,  when,  on  finding  my- 
self in  rather  a dangerous  state  for  want  of  ex- 
ercise, I insisted  upon  walking  out  at  one  end 
of  the  town  for  half  an  hour.  In  the  evening  I 

learned  that  several  more  human  victims  had 

% 

been  sacrificed  during  the  day,  but  could  not 
ascertain  the  exact  number.  The  most  accurate 
account  I could  obtain  was  that  fifteen  more 
had  suffered,  making  a total  of  forty  in  two 
days. 

While  speaking  to  Apoko,  I did  not  fail  to 
remind  him  that  the  law  of  God  forbids  this 
awful  practice  ; and  that  they  were  under  a 
great  error  in  supposing  that  the  persons  sacri- 
ficed would  attend  on  the  deceased  relative  of 
the  king,  in  some  other  state  of  existence. 

These  poor  victims  were  allowed  to  lie  naked 
and  exposed  in  the  street,  until  they  began  to 
swell  like  dead  dogs  ; and  such  is  the  callous 
state  of  mind  in  which  the  people  live,  that  ma- 
ny were  walking  about  among  the  putrefying 


MISSIONS  IN  WESTERN  AFRICA.  85 

bodies,  smoking  their  pipes  with  astonishing 
indifference. 

Sunday , 7th.  At  nine  A.  M.  I conducted  di- 
vine service  at  my  quarters  ; many  Ashantees 
were  present,  and  some  of  them  paid  deep  at- 
tention. At  four  P.  M.  I again  commenced  the 
worship  of  God,  but  was  compelled  abruptly  to 
close  the  service  by  a tornado. 

Monday , 8th.  This  morning  his  majesty  sent 
me  a handsome  present,  consisting  of  a cow,  a 
sheep,  a pig,  a quantity  of  palm  nuts,  yams,  and 
plantains,  and  one  ounce  and  four  ackies  of  gold 
dust,  {£5  currency,)  also  three  ackies  for  my 
interpreter,  and  five  ackies  for  my  other  attend- 
ants. The  gold  was  brought  in  a golden  blow- 
pan,  weighing  several  ounces. 

DESCRIPTION  OF  THE  TOWN  OF  COOMASSIE. 

Having  asked  his  majesty  to  allow  me  to  see 
the  town  to-day,  he  readily  gave  me  liberty  to 
go  wherever  I pleased.  I therefore  embraced 
the  opportunity  of  looking  over  it,  which  occu- 
pied about  one  hour.  The  streets  are  large,  and 
more  clean  and  uniform  than  any  I have  seen 
in  any  other  native  town  since  my  arrival  in 
Africa.  The  breadth  of  some  of  them  is  at  least 
thirty  yards,  and  the  average  length  from  three 
hundred  to  six  hundred  yards.  The  town  is 
situated  or  a bed  of  granite  ; fragments  of  which 


86  MISSIONS  IN  WESTERN  AFRICA. 

are  strewed  in  abundance  over  the  finest  streets  ; 
the  average  size  of  them  being  about  twenty 
inches  square  (cube.)  A row  of  splendid  ban- 
ian trees,  planted  at  a considerable  distance 
from  each  other,  occupies  some  of  the  largest 
streets,  affording  a most  delightful  shade  from 
the  burning  rays  of  the  sun.  The  streets  differ 
also  in  appearance  from  those  of  any  other  town 
which  I have  seen  in  the  interior,  by  the  houses 
on  each  side  having  open  fronts,  the  floor  being 
raised  from  two  to  three  feet  above  the  level  of 
the  ground.  The  space  between  the  ground 
and  the  level  of  the  floor,  and  in  some  houses  a 
foot  or  two  above  the  level  of  the  floor,  presents 
a front  of  carved  work  beautifully  polished  with 
red  ochre.  In  some  the  carved  work  is  continued 
up  to  the  roof ; and  where  that  is  the  case,  it  is 
covered  with  white  clay,  which  has  the  appear- 
ance of  a lime  white  wash.  The  roofs  are 
made  chiefly  with  bamboo  poles,  or  sticks,  with 
the  bark  stripped  off,  and  thatched  with  palm 
leaves. 

Behind  each  of  these  open  fronts  are  a num- 
ber .of  small  houses,  or  rather  open  sheds,  in 
which  the  people  dwell,  (the  room  open  to  the 
street  being  more  of.a  public  seat  than  a private 
room,)  at  an  average  number  of  from  thirty  to 
rorty  to  each  open  front.  These  small  dwell- 


MISSIONS  IN  WESTERN  AFRICA.  87 

mgs  in  the  background  are  in  many  cases  en- 
tirely hidden  from  the  observation  of  any  one 
passing  along  the  streets  ; the  only  indication 
of  them  being  a small  door  on  the  left  or  right 
of  the  open  front.  The  houses  are  all  built  on 
the  same  plan,  from  that  of  the^king  down  to 
the  lowest  rank  of  captains  ; and  these  are,  with 
a few  exceptions,  the  only  persons  who  are  al- 
lowed to  build  in  any  public  situation.  The 
rocky  bed  on  which  the  town  is  built  is,  in  ma- 
ny parts,  very  irregular  and  unlevel.  Some  of 
the  streets  are  so  full  of  holes,  occasioned  by 
the  heavy  rains  washing  the  earth  out  of  the 
fissures  of  the  rocks  during  the  rainy  season, 
that  any  one  attempting  to  walk  through  them 
in  the  dark  would  place  his  neck  in  danger. 

There  is  only  one  stone-built  house  in  the 
town,  which  stands  on  the  royal  premises,  and  is 
called  the  “ Castle.”  All  the  other  buildings  are 
of  wood  and  swish,  and  by  no  means  durable. 

The  market  place  is  a large  open  space  about 
three  quarters  of  a mile  in  circumference. 
There  is  no  regularity  in  its  form,  but  it  ap- 
proaches nearest  to  that  of  a parallelogram. 
On  one  side  of  it  is  an  extensive  dell , surround- 
ed by  large  trees  and  high  grass,*  into  which 

* There  is  a kind  of  grass  in  the  immediate  neighbour- 
hood of  Coomassie,  which  grows  to  the  enormous  height 


88  MISSIONS  IN  WESTERN  AFRICA. 

they  throw  at  last  the  dead  bodies  of  sacrificed 
human  victims.  As  I passed  by  this  dell , 1 
smelt  a most  intolerable  stench,  proceeding  from 
the  poor  creatures  who  were  thrown  there  on 
Saturday  last.  My  feelings  would  not  permit 
me  to  look  into  this  horrid  receptacle  of  the 
dead  ; but  the  very  idea  of  it  is  dreadful.  Yet 
even  “ there  the  prisoners  rest  together ; they 
hear  not  the  voice  of  the  oppressor.” 

There  are  no  regularly-built  stalls  in  the  mar- 
ket place.  Many  articles  of  merchandize  were 
placed  on  the  ground,  and  others  on  little  tem- 
porary railings,  which  might  be  put  up  or  taken 
down  in  a few  moments.  Among  the  commo- 
dities exposed  for  sale,  I saw  Manchester 
cloths,  silks,  muslins  ; roll  tobacco  from  the 
interior ; large  cakes  of  a kind  of  pomatum^ 
made  from  the  fruit  of  a tree  found  in  the  depth 
of  the  interior,  and  used  by  the  Ashantees  for 
anointing  their  bodies  to  give  a polish  to  their 
skins  ; native  tobacco  pipes,  of  very  neat  manu- 
facture ; cakes  of  a kind  of  whiting,  used  by 
the  natives  for  marking  their  bodies  ; kankie, 
(native  bread,)  yams,  plantains,  bananas,  pines, 
ground  nuts,  fish,  and  the  flesh  of  monkeys  and 
elephants. 

of  twenty  feet,  the  stalk  of  which  is  about  three  quarters 
of  an  inch  in  diameter. 


MISSIONS  IN  WESTERN  AFRICA. 


89 


BANTAMA.  HEATHEN  JEALOUSIES. 

In  the  afternoon  I asked  his  majesty  to  allow 
me  to  visit  Bantama,  or  the  “ Back  Town  to 
which  he  readily  consented.  I found  it  to  be 
a small  town,  nearly  one  mile  distant  from  Coo- 
massie,  and  connected  with  it  by  a long  street, 
which  runs  from  one  town  into  the  other.  The 
only  difference  between  the  two  towns  is  that 
the  streets  of  Bantama  are  much  more  noiseless 
than  those  of  Coomassie  which  difference 
arises  from  the  former  being  looked  upon  as  sa- 
cred, on  account  of  the  fetish  house , which  con- 
tains the  bones  of  the  former  kings,  being  in  it. 
Very  few  Europeans,  or  even  Ashantees,  are 
allowed  to  visit  Bantama.  Some  of  Apoko’s 
men,  who  conducted  me  thither,  informed  me 
that  I am  the  only  European  who  has  been  per- 
mitted to  visit  it  during  the  reign  of  his  present 
majesty  ; and  that  the  people  of  Coomassie  are 
only  allowed  to  go  there  when  the  king  himself 
goes  (which  he  does  every  forty  days)  to  visit 
the  tombs  of  his  ancestors.  Several  splendid 
banian  trees  are  luxuriating  in  the  centre  of  the 
main  street ; on  one  of  which  I saw  a pretty 
variety  of  epiphitical  orchidece , in  full  bloom. 

Before  I left  Bantama,  I visited  the  chief, 
one  of  the  greatest  men  in  the  kingdom,  who 


90 


MISSIONS  IN.  WESTERN  AFRICA. 


received  me  very  kindly,  and  regaled  me  with 
some  palm  wine. 

As  we  were  proceeding  homeward,  two  or 
three  men  belonging  to  the  chief  came  running 
after  us,  requesting  us  to  stop.  As  soon  as  they 
came  up  with  us,  I learned  that  they  had  been 
watching  us,  to  see  if  we  gathered  any  thing 
from  the  banian  trees,  as  we  passed  under  them ; 
and  on  seeing  my  interpreter,  who  was  riding 
in  a palanquin,  raise  his  hand  to  protect  his  face 
from  the  leaves,  &c.,  they  thought  he  had 
plucked  some  by  my  direction,  and  that  I intend- 
ed to  make  a medicine  from  them  for  the  pur- 
pose of  poisoning  the  king  ! They  seemed  fully 
satisfied,  however,  from  an  explanation  on  the 
part  of  my  interpreter,  that  they  were  under  a 
mistake.  I believe  their  jealousy  was  excited 
by  seeing  me  look  up  into  one  of  the  trees, 
where  a variety  of  the  or  chide®  was  flowering ; 
and  as  they  have  scarcely  any  idea  of  the  beauty 
of  a flower,  they  thought  I must  have  some  sinis- 
ter intention  in  thus  closely  examining  the  tree. 

As  I passed  by  the  king’s  residence  on  my 
way  home,  a small  group  of  physic-nut  trees, 
thirteen  in  number,  was  pointed  out  to  me  as 
being  the  memorials  of  the  former  kings  ; an 
additional  tree  being  planted  at  the  decease  of 
every  monarch. 


MISSIONS  IN  WESTERN  AFRICA.  91 

On  my  arrival  at  ray  quarters,  which  are  on 
Apoko’s  premises,  I told  him  of  the  affair  at 
Bantama,  concerning  the  banian  leaves,  &c., 
and  asked  him  if  they  saw  any  thing  in  my  con- 
duct which  authorized  them  to  suspect  me  of 
any  evil  motive  in  visiting  Bantama  ? He  an 
svvered,  “ No  and  seemed  to  pay  very  little 
attention  to  the  matter.  However,  to  convince 
him  more  fully,  I showed  him  some  drawings 
of  different  varieties  of  or  chide®  in  flower,  and 
told  him  that  the  English  are  very  fond  of  cul- 
tivating flowers  from  all  parts  of  the  world,  and 
that  I was  very  fond  of  studying  their  nature, 
character,  &c.  Apoko  seemed  much  pleased- 
with  the  plates  as  they  were  laid  open  before 
him. 

Tuesday , 9th.  The  sudden  change  of  tem- 
perature on  Sunday  last  being  very  great,  (from 
91°  Fahrenheit,  in  the  shade,  to  about  74°,  or 
75°,)  accompanied  with  heavy  rain,  I caught  a 
violent  cold,  although  I took  the  precaution  to 
cover  myself  partially  with  a cloak,  as  soon  as 
the  change  took  place.  I began  to  feel  the  evil 
effects  of  this  cold  this  morning. 


92 


MISSIONS  IN  WESTERN  AFRICA. 


INTERVIEW  WITH  THE  KING  I PREPARATIONS  FOR  RETURN 
TO  THE  COAST  : APOKO  THE  CHIEF  LINGUIST. 

About  half  past  nine  this  morning  I went  to 
the  king’s  residence  to  thank  him  for  the  hand- 
some present  which  he  made  me  yesterday. 
He  appears  to  be  about  thirty-six  years  of  age. 
He  is  of  middle  stature  ; his  complexion  is  not 
so  dark  as  that  of  many  of  his  subjects  ; his 
manners  are  pleasing  and  agreeable.  He  has 
an  aversion  to  drinking  and  smoking,  a quality 
this  quite  unusual  among  the  Ashantees.* 

Thursday , 11th.  Feeling  better  to-day,  I 
walked  out  into  the  town  for  air  and  exercise. 
As  I passed  the  end  of  one  of  the  streets,  I saw 
a group  of  persons  surrounding  a large  Caboo- 
ceer’s  umbrella.  A band  of  music  was  playing, 
and  a human  victim  was  lying  on  the  ground 
before  them,  exposed  to  public  view.  I turned 
from  the  disgusting  and  awful  sight  with  painful 
feelings.  Coming  round  to  the  further  end  of 
the  same  street,  I saw  it  crowded  with  people, 
and  numbers  more  joining  them  in  rapid  suc- 
cession. The  king  was  seated  in  the  street 

* While  I was  staying  at  Fomunnah,  I once  reproved 
Corintchie  for  drunkenness  ; when  he  said  that  the  king 
had  checked  him  for  it  once,  and  since  I also  had  done  it, 
which  was  the  second  reproof  he  had  received,  he  would 
endeavour  to  avoid  it  for  the  future. 


MISSIONS  IN  WESTERN  AFRICA.  93 

under  his  umbrellas,  to  drink  palm  wine  with 
his  chiefs,  &c.,  previous  to  a week’s  partial 
seclusion  in  his  palace,  immediately  after  the 
conclusion  of  the  custom  for  his  relation,  who 
died  on  the  fourth  instant,  this  being  the  last 
day  of  the  custom. 

In  the  course  of  the  day  I reminded  Apoko 
of  my  anxiety  to  obtain  an  answer  from  his  ma- 
jesty, respecting  the  establishment  of  schools, 
&c.,  in  Ashantee,  who  answered,  “ The  king 
will  speedily  give  you  an  answer  ; and  we  hope 
you  will  come  to  Coomassie  again  and  pay  us 
another  visit,  as  we  shall  be  always  glad  to  see 
you.  The  king  believes  that  you  wish  to  do 
him  and  the  people  good.” 

Saturday,  13th.  I again  reminded  Apoko 
that  I must  speedily  return  to  the  coast,  as  the 
rains  were  becoming  frequent  and  very  heavy. 
He  immediately  went  to  tell  the  king ; and  re- 
turned to  inform  me  that  his  majesty  had  been 
so  busily  engaged  throughout  the  morning  that 
he  could  not  see  me  and  make  me  ready  to  start 
to-day,  but  that  he  would  do  so  to-morrow. 

From  the  general  aspect  of  things  I became 
sensible  that  though  I should  not  meet  with  any 
thing  to  discourage  me,  yet  it  would  cost  me 
another  journey  to  Coomassie,  before  the  confi- 
dence of  the  king  would  be  fully  secured ; as 


94  MISSIONS  IN  WESTERN  AFRICA. 

his  jealous  disposition  is  of  such  a nature  as  to 
require  a considerable  length  of  time  and  much 
patience  and  perseverance  to  overcome  it. 

Sunday , 14th.  At  half  past  seven  A.  M.  [ 
conducted  divine  service  at  my  quarters,  and 
found  it  to  be  a time  of  spiritual  refreshment. 
I continued  in  anxious  expectation  of  a message 
from  the  king  until  about  eleven  o’clock,  when 
I found  upon  inquiry  that  Apoko  had  not  remind- 
ed his  majesty  of  seeing  me  to-day,  because  he 
thought  I would  not  like  to  transact  any  kind  of 
business  on  the  sabbath  day.  (This  idea  was 
the  result  of  a previous  consultation  with  Apo- 
ko ; during  which  I explained  to  him  the  nature 
and  claims  of  the  Christian  sabbath.)  I told 
him  that  my  business  with  his  majesty  was  of  a 
purely  religious  nature  ; and  that  I had,  there- 
fore, no  objection  to  seeing  him  immediately. 
It  was  then  too  late,  however,  to  hope  for  an 
interview  to-day. 

Early  this  evening  I held  a prayer  meeting, 
which  was  no  sooner  concluded  than  the  rain, 
which  had  been  threatening  for  several  hours, 
commenced  with  awful  violence.  In  a few  mi- 
nutes, the  small  yard  in  the  centre  of  my  resi- 
dence was  covered  with  water,  to  the  depth  of 
twelve  or  fifteen  inches  ; and  as  the  thatch  of 
my  sleeping  shed  (I  cannot  call  it  a room)  was 


MISSIONS  IN  WESTERN  AFRICA.  95 

in  bad  repair,  the  rain  poured  in  almost  in  a 
stream  on  my  pillow.  I soon  began  to  feel  the 
evil  effects  of  the  damps,  and  felt  some  fears  as 
to  the  consequences  ; which  fe&rs  were  height- 
ened by  the  consideration  that  my  provisions 
were  nearly  exhausted,  so  that  I could  not  make 
myself  a cup  of  tea  or  coffee,  having  no  sugar 
left ; neither  had  I any  flour,  bread,  or  biscuit. 
Trusting,  however,  in  the  mercy  of  God,  I par- 
took of  some  native  food,  to  satisfy  the  cravings 
of  hunger,  and  slept  in  peace. 

Monday , 15th.  I arose  from  my  bed,  deter- 
mined to  make  an  attempt  to  commence  my 
journey  back  to  the  coast  to-day,  if  possible  ; 
the  commencement  of  the  rains,  of  the  violence 
of  which  a stranger  to  a tropical  climate  can 
form  but  a faint  idea,  together  with  the  sickly 
state  of  several  of  my  people,  and  the  pressing 
claims  of  nearly  seven  hundred  members  of  our 
society  on  the-roast,  rendering  my  speedy  re- 
turn imperative,  i therefore  began  to  pack  up 
my  things,  while  Apoko,*  (whose  attachment  to 

* Apoko  is  the  only  person  who  is  allowed  to  visit  the 
king  at  any  time  he  wishes.  I therefore  enjoyed  many 
a d v an t a ges, from  being  placed  by  the  king  under  his  care. 
I was  informed  that  had  it  not  been  so,  I should  have  had 
much  greater  difficulties  to  contend  with  in  holding  inter- 
course with  the  king.  Apoko  is  a fine-looking  man,  about 


96  MISSIONS  IN  WESTERN  AFRICA. 

me  has  daily  increase^,)  true  to  the  promise 
which  he  made  me  yesterday,  repaired  to  his 
majesty’s  residence  to  remind  him  of  the  neces- 
sity of  allowing  me  to  leave  to-day. 

In  about  two  hours  Apoko  returned,  accom- 
panied by  a host  of  attendants,  linguists,  and 
messengers,  with  a present  from  his  majesty, 
consisting  of  two  ounces  and  four  ackies  of  gold 
dust,  (j£9  currency.)  and  a slave,  for  myself,* 
also  eight  ackies  (£2  currency)  for  my  inter- 
preter and  other  attendants.  He  also  gave  me 
the  following  message  from  the  king : — “ His 
majesty  knows  that  you  cannot  stop  longer  on 
account  of  the  rains  ; and  as  the  thing  which 
you  have  mentioned  to  him  requires  much  con- 
sideration, he  cannot  answer  you  in  so  short  a 
time  : but  if  you  will  come  up  again,  or  send  a 
messenger,  after  the  rains  are  over,  he  will  be 
prepared  to  answer  you.”  With  this  message 
I was  pleased ; and  said  that  I would  certainly 
either  come  up  again,  or  send  a messenger  at 
the  time  mentioned.  I then  repaired  to  his  ma- 
jesty’s residence  to  take  my  leave,  and  found 
him  seated  in  one  of  his  apartments,  surround- 

thirty-six  years  of  age,  and  seems  to  have  great  influence 
with  the  king. 

f This  slave,  it  will  be  seen  in  the  sequel,  Mr.  Freeman 
had  the  pleasure  of  emancipating  very  soon. — Ed. 


MISSIONS  IN  WESTERN  AFRICA.  97 

ed  by  an  immense  number  of  attendants  : when 
he  requested  me,  with  a courtesy  which  one 
could  scarcely  expect  from  a person  in  his  cir- 
cumstances, to  present  his  compliments  to  his 
excellency  President  Maclean,  and  take  a mes- 
sage to  him. 

COMMENCEMENT  OP  RETURN  I SLAVE  EMANCIPATED. 

Having  taken  my  leave,  I commenced  my 
journey  at  noon,  preceded  by  an  escort  of  troops. 
After  I had  proceeded  a short  distance  along 
the  street,  Apoko  came  to  testify  his  affection 
by  a hearty  shaking  of  the  hand. 

When  I reached  Franfraham,  the  troops  left 
me,  and  I stopped  a few  minutes  to  emancipate 
the  slave  whom  his  majesty  had  given  me. 
This  poor  fellowr  is  a native  from  the  depth  of 
the  interior,  and  is  now  in  the  prime  of  his  life. 
On  my  informing  him  that  he  was  now  become 
a free  man,  he  appeared  overwhelmed  with  gra- 
titude, and  almost  fell  to  the  earth  before  me  in 
acknowledgment  of  the  boon.  He  had  not  all 
the  joy  to  himself,  however  ; for  while  I enjoyed 
the  luxury  of  doing  good,  many  of  my  people 
looked  on  him  with  delight ; and  our  pleasure 
was  heightened  when  he  told  us  that  he  had 
been  brought  out  twice  for  the  purpose  of  sacri- 
fice, during  the  recent  custom,  and  had  been 
. 7 


98  MISSIONS  IN  WESTERN  AFRICA. 

twice  put  in  irons  and  sent  back  alive  ; and  that 
when  he  was  brought  out  this  morning,  he  ex- 
pected to  be  sacrificed  in  the,  course  of  the  day 
Happy  change ! instead  of  having  his  head  cut 
off,  and  his  body  thrown  to  the  fowls  of  the  air, 
he  now  finds  himself  in  the  enjoyment  of  liberty, 
safely  proceeding  with  us  far  away  from  the 
scenes  of  his  captivity. 

I then  journeyed  on  with  speed,  and  reached 
the  town  of  Edgewabin  about  five  P.  M.,  where 
I took  up  my  quarters  for  the  night. 

Tuesday , 16th.  At  six  A.  M.  I again  pro- 
ceeded. In  the  course  of  the  morning  a torna- 
do, which  had  for  a long  time  been  grumbling 
in  the  distance,  overtook  us.  We  took  shelter 
for  a short  time,  and  then  ventured  onward  in 
the  rain ; as  I chose  rather  to  expose  myself 
to  the  rains,  however  pernicious,  than  to  the 
only  alternative  of  swimming  across  the  rivers, 
which  were  swelling  very  fast. 

The  soil  being  clayey,  the  rain  made  the 
roads  so  very  slippery  that  nearly  all  my  car- 
riers, &c.,  were  tumbling  down  with  the  boxes  ; 
and  while  I was  riding  in  my  chair  to  rest  my- 
self a little,  the  hammock  men  stumbled  with 
me  twice,  notwithstanding  the  greatest  care  on 
their  part. 

During  the  whole  of  the  day  I did  not  stop 


MISSIONS  IN  WESTERN  AFRICA.  - 99 

to  take  any  food,  but  pushed  along  like  a man 
escaping  for  his  life. 

FOMUNNAH  . KINDNESS  OF  CORINTCHIE  : JOURNEY  BAOK 

TO  THE  COAST. 

Night  closed  in  nearly  an  hour  before  I 
reached  my  resting  place  ; but  we  kept  our  path 
through  the  forest  without  much  difficulty,  and 
reached  Fomunnah,  at  a quarter  after  seven 
o’clock,  wet,  weary,  and  hungry.  I immediately 
repaired  to  Corintchie’s  residence.  He  seemed 
overjoyed  to  see  me,  gave  me  a hearty  shaking 
with  both  hands,  put  his  arms  around  my  neck 
in  transport,  and  made  me  a present  of  palm  wine 
and  a mess  of  soup  made  with  the  flesh  of  the 
monkey.  I then  retired  to  my  lodgings,  and 
thankfully  partook  of  Corintchie’s  monkey  soup, 
to  satisfy  the  cravings  of  hunger,  having  little 
else  to  eat. 

Wednesday , 17th.  Early  this  morning  Co- 
rintchie  came  to  my  quarters,  shook  me  cor- 
dially by  the  hand,  and  testified  his  delight  at 
seeing  me  safely  returned  from  Coomassie. 
On  my  telling  him  that  I should  want  him  to 
assist  me  in  holding  further  intercourse  with  the 
king  by  sending  messengers,  &c.,  and,  perhaps, 
in  returning  to  Coomassie  again  in  the  course 
of  the  next  dry  season,  he  said  be  would  readily 
do  any  thing  which  I requested  of  him. 


100  MISSIONS  IN  WESTERN  AFRICA. 

One  of  my  attendants  being  so  ill  as  to  be  un- 
able to  walk  over  the  Adansee  hills,  I applied 
for  assistance  to  Corintchie  ; who  immediately 
supplied  me  with  four  strong  men,  to  assist  in 
carrying  the  invalid.  About  half  past  eleven 
A.  M.  I again  proceeded,  crossed  the  Adansee 
hills,  and  travelled  through  the  forest  until  four 
P.  M. ; when,  finding  the  people  weary,  I was 
obliged  to  stop  in  a small  croonj,  and  take  up 
my  quarters  for  the  night. 

Thursday , 18th.  At  seven  A.  M.  I resumed 
my  journey,  under  rather  trying  circumstances  ; 
being  almost  without  food.  About  noon  I stop- 
ped to  rest  the  carriers,  &c.,  and  took  a little 
refreshment,  consisting  of  a piece  of  boiled  yam 
and  a little  butter,  with  some  heavy  and  sour 
pudding  made  with  Indian  corn,  having  nothing 
better  to  eat. 

About  half  past  four  P.  M.  I halted  for  the  night 
at  a small  croom,  about  seven  miles  from  the  river 
Prah.  On  my  arrival  at  this  place  I felt  tired  and 
hungry,  and  the  God  of  providence  kindly  “ fur- 
nished me  a table  in  the  wilderness.”  A wild  hog 
had  been  killed  in  the  neighbourhood,  a portion 
of  which  I purchased,  and  found  it  very  deli- 
cious. “ Thy  bread  shall  be  given  thee  ; thy 
water  shall  be  sure.”  My  sleeping  place,  it  is 
true,  was  a very  bad  one,  such  as  an  English- 


MISSIONS  IN  WESTERN  AFRICA.  101 

man  would  hardly  put  a pig  in  ; but  I laid  me 
down  with  humble  confidence,  and  slept  in 
peace. 

“ How  do  thy  mercies  close  me  round  ! 

For  ever  be  thy  name  adored  ! 

I blush  in  all  things  to  abound  : 

The  servant  is  above  his  Lord 

“ Inured  to  poverty  and  pain, 

A suffering  life  my  Master  led ; 

The  Son  of  God,  the  Son  of  man, 

He  had  not  where  to  lay  his  head. 

“ But  lo  ! a place  he  hath  prepared 

For  me,  whom  watchful  angels  keep ; 

Yea,  he  himself  becomes  my  guard, 

He  smooths  my  bed,  and  gives  me  sleep.” 

Friday , 19th.  At  six  A.  M.  I started  for  the 
Prah,  which  I reached  in  about  two  hours.  I 
stopped  to  breakfast  at  Prahsoo,  on  the  Fantee 
side  of  the  river ; and  after  resting  the  people, 
and  allowing  them  time  to  refresh  themselves  by 
bathing  in  the  river,  I again  proceeded  at  one 
P.  M.,  and  reached  the  small  croom  of  Berra- 
coe  about  five  o’clock,  when  I halted  for  the 
night. 

Saturday , 20th.  At  six  A.  M.  I set  out  for 
Fessu  ; which  place  I reached  at  noon  ; and  as 
the  day  was  excessively  hot,  and  the  people 
very  weary,  I determined  on  stopping  here  and 
spending  the  sabbath. 


102  MISSIONS  IN  WESTERN  AFRICA. 

Sunday , 2 1st.  At  half  past  seven  A.  M.  I 
conducted  divine  service,  and  preached  from 
Mark  viii,  36,  37.  Many  of  the  natives  were 
present,  and  some  of  them  paid  deep  attention. 
About  five  P.  M.  we  had  a comforting  prayer 
meeting. 

Monday , 22d.  At  a quarter  before  six  A.  M. 
I started  for  Mansue.  Arriving  at  a neat  little 
croom  on  the  way,  I was  pleased  to  find  that  a 
carrier,  bearing  provisions,  whom  I had  been 
expecting  several  days,  had  just  entered  the 
croom.  Thus  I was  enabled  to  take  a comfort- 
able breakfast,  consisting  of  suitable  food,  the 
want  of  which  I had  felt  severely  during  the  last 
seven  or  eight  days.  My  people,  who  had  seen 
with  regret  the  privations  I suffered,  sat  at  a 
distance,  looking  at  me  while  I was  taking  my 
breakfast,  with  countenances  which  told  how 
happy  they  were  in  seeing  my  wants  supplied. 

After  breakfast  I again  proceeded,  and  reach- 
ed Mansue  at  one  P.  M.  Gabree,  the  chief, 
welcomed  me  back,  and  entreated  me  to  stay 
with  him  until  the  morrow,  as  I had  already 
travelled  a fair  day’s  journey ; but,  as  I was 
extremely  anxious  to  reach  Cape  Coast  as  early 
as  possible,  I told  him  I could  not  stop  to-day, 
but  would  pay  him  a visit  at  the  earliest  oppor- 
tunity. On  my  inquiring  whether  he  would 


MISSIONS  IN  WESTERN  AFRICA.  103 

like  a mission  to  be  established  at  Mansue,  he 
said,  “Yes;”  and  he  should  feel  very  happy 
if  he  had  a missionary  residing  with  him.  Ga- 
bree  is  one  of  the  most  respectable  chiefs  in 
Fantee. 

Mansue  and  the  adjacent  villages  contain  a 
population  of  at  least  ten  thousand  souls  ; and  it 
is  admirably  situated  for  the  establishment  of  a 
mission.* 

Leaving  Mansue,  I proceeded  to  Wanquassoo, 
a small  croom,  about  nine  miles  from  the  last- 
mentioned  place  ; where  we  stopped  for  the 
night. 

Tuesday , 23d.  At  six  A.  M.  I again  resumed 
my  journey,  and  reached  Yancoomassie  at  nine, 
where  I stopped  to  breakfast.  Assin  Chibboe, 
the  chief,  received  me  very  kindly,  and  asked 
me  to  stay  with  him  a day  or  two ; but  our  so- 
cieties on  the  coast  acted  as  a powerful  magnet, 
which  seemed  to  draw  me  with  almost  irresist- 
ible force  toward  them.  I therefore  promised 

* Many  important  advantages  would,  in  all  probability, 
result  from  our  having  a school  house  and  teacher  at  Man- 
sue. It  is  two  days’  journey  on  the  road  to  Coomassie  ; 
and  would,  consequently,  facilitate  our  operations  in  Ashan- 
tee.  The  situation  also  is  open  and  healthy  ; and  would 
in  due  time  be  a very  eligible  place  for  the  residence  of  3. 
missionary. 


104  MISSIONS  IN  WESTERN  AFRICA. 

Chibboe  a visit  at  some  future  opportunity,  and 
hastened  on  my  way  with  all  speed.  The  road 
was  so  much  overgrown  with  luxuriant  vegeta- 
tion, that  I was  literally  dragged  through  the 
bushes,  which  soon  compelled  me  to  walk. 
The  morning  sun  was  also  intensely  hot,  and 
the  path  so  narrow  that  an  umbrella  was  of-  lit- 
tle use.  Instead  of  passing  through  Domonas- 
sie,  as  I did  on  my  journey  up  to  Coomassie,  I 
left  it  on  my  left,  and  took  a shorter  road  to 
Cape  Coast. 

About  noon  I reached  Doonqua,  (Payntree’s 
croom  of  Bowdich,)  where  I rested  my  carriers, 
&c.,  a few  minutes ; after  which  I proceeded 
about  four  miles,  took  some  refreshment,  and  thep 
pushed  on  to  within  about  nine  miles  of  Cape 
Coast.  Finding  that  many  of  my  people  were 
unable  to  proceed  any  further,  I left  them  in  a 
little  croom  for  the  night,  and  urged  on  my  way, 
taking  with  me  only  the  hammock  men,  whom 
I had  rested  the  greater  part  of  the  day  by  walk- 
ing about  twenty-five  miles,  and  a soldier.  As 
I approached  nearer  to  Cape  Coast,  the  roads 
were  much  better  ; and,  having  the  advantage 
of  a fine  moonlight  night,  I reached  the  mission 
house  in  safety,  about  nine  P.  M.,  and  obtained 
a refreshing  view  of  the  deep,  deep  sea,  which 
unites  Cape  Coast  with  my  native  land,  with 


MISSIONS  IN  WESTERN  AFRICA.  105 

feelings  of  humble  gratitude  to  Almighty  God, 
who  had  mercifully  preserved  me  in  the  midst 
of  so  many  dangers,  not  imaginary  but  real,  and 
brought  me  home  in  health,  peace,  and  safety. 


CHAPTER  III. 

Practicability  of  a mission  in  Ashantee.  Letter  of  Pre- 
sident Maclean. 

I trust,  my  dear  sirs,  that  these  oopigus 
extracts  from  my  journal  will  convince  you  that 
God,  in  his  infinite  mercy,  is  gently  opening 
before  us  our  way  into  the  interior  of  this  vast 
continent.  Future  difficulties  will  doubtless 
arise  ; but  I am  fully  confident  that  they  will  not 
be  of  such  a nature  as  to  hinder  the  Christian 
missionary  from  pressing  on  in  the  glorious  con- 
flict. It  is  true  that  this  spiritual  Jericho  at 
present  stands  strong  ; and  that  Satan,  its  mon- 
ster king,  still  has  the  triumph  of  seeing  thou- 
sands of  helpless  men,  for  whom  Christ  died, 
dashed  into  the  dust  iir  dishonour : but  Israel 
shall  surely  triumph ; the  mystical  rams’  horns 
shall  not  be  blown  in  vain  ; the  enemy  shall  be 
taken  in  his  strong  hold,  and  the  Redeemer 
shall  have  these  “ heathen”  for  his  “inheritance” 
and  these  “ uttermost  parts  of  the  earth”  for  his 
“ possession.” 


106  MISSIONS  IN  WESTERN  AFRICA. 

I believe  that  my  long  detention  at  Fomunnah, 
on  my  way  to  Coomassie,  was  all  the  Lord’s 
doing.  The  great  length  of  time  which  I re- 
mained there  gave  me  an  excellent  opportunity 
of  becoming  acquainted  with  the  people,  and  of 
gaining  their  affections.  I also  became  accus- 
tomed by  gentle  degrees  to  those  horrid  and 
awful  scenes  which  are  every-day  occurrences 
in  Coomassie. 

Fomunnah  is  a much  more  desirable  place 
for  the  establishment  of  a mission,  at  the  present 
time,  than  Coomassie.  The  people  are  more 
prepared  for  the  reception  of  the  gospel ; and 
their  chief,  Corintchie,  is  exceedingly  well  dis- 
posed toward  us.  Nevertheless,  I should  have 
no  hesitation  in  attempting  the  establishment 
of  a mission  even  in  Coomassie  itself. 

To  carry  on  this  glorious  work  in  Ashantee, 
and  other  parts  of  the  interior,  it  will  require 
men  of  great  nerve,  patience,  forbearance,  and 
perseverance.  I also  here  deem  it  necessary 
to  remind  you  of  the  importance  of  sending  per- 
sons who  are  rather  light  than  heavy  in  weight, 
as  the  hammock  men  will  not  carry  them  if  they 
are  very  heavy.  Yet,  on  the  other  hand,  they 
must  not  be  too  small  and  weak  ; if  so,  they  will 
never,  humanly  speaking,  bear  the  very  heavy 
toils  of  travelling  in  this  climate.  If  I were  $ 


MISSIONS  IN  WESTERN  AFRICA.  107 

little  larger  than  I am,  I should  meet  with  almost 
insuperable  difficulties  in  travelling.  If  I were 
not  very  strong,  through  divine  goodness,  I could 
not  have  borne  half  the  toils  through  which  I 
have  passed. 

I have  no  doubt  as  to  getting  up  to  Ashantee 
for  the  future  with  much  less  expense  than  has 
been  incurred  in  my  first  visit.  The  king  would 
not  make  so  much  ado  the  second  time,  as  I am 
no  longer  a stranger.  I also  think  that  even 
with  a stranger  h^  would  not  adopt  the  same 
course  as  he  did  with  me,  inasmuch  as  the  no- 
velty is  over. 

While  I was  staying  at  Fomunnah,  the  king 
sent  down  a messenger  to  see  what  kind  of  a 
person  I was.  When  the  messenger  returned, 
he  asked  him  what  he  had  seen,  in  language 
something  like  the  following  : — 

The  king.  “ You  have  seen  the  fetishman  ?” 
Messenger.  “ Yes.” 

King.  “ Had  he  plenty  of  drums  with  him  ?” 
Messenger.  “I  saw  no  drums.” 

King.  “ Why  ! he  is  a fetishman  ; he  must 
have  drums  with  him.” 

Messenger.  “ I saw  no  drums.  He  has  plenty 
of  boxes  ; but  I cannot  say  what  they  contain.” 
King.  “ Why  did  you  not  endeavour  to  learn 
whether  the  boxes  contained  drums  or  not  ?” 


108  MISSIONS  IN  WESTERN  AFRICA. 

I was  informed  that  the  king  was  exceedingly 
angry  with  the  messenger  because  he  could  not 
give  him  a satisfactory  answer.  At  another 
time  the  king  said,  “ Never  since  the  world  be- 
gan has  there  been  an  English  missionary  in 
Ashantee  before.  What  can  he  want?”  As  I 
have  been  to  Coomassie,  and  not  only  so,  but 
have  visited  him  in  his  own  residence  ; as  well 
as  been  for  a fortnight  under  the  watchful  care 
of  his  chief  linguist,  Apoko,  who  has  his  entire 
confidence  ; his  jealousies  aifc,  doubtless,  so  far 
removed  that  he  will  not  be  likely  to  detain  a 
missionary  so  long  on  the  road  again,  while  per- 
plexing and  puzzling  himself  with  questions  of 
the  before-mentioned  character. 

It  was  manifest  that  a mighty  change  had 
taken  place  respecting  me  in  the  mind  of  the 
king,  after  I Ifad  been  a few  days  in  Coomassie  ; 
for  he  seemed  very  anxious  to  detain  me,  if  pos- 
sible ; and  I believe  he  would  have  kept  me 
several  weeks  longer,  thereby  placing  my  life 
in  the  greatest  danger  from  the  rains,  &c.,  but 
for  the  kindness  of  President  Maclean,  who, 
knowing  the  probable  consequences  of  my  being 
detained  in  that  manner,  wrote  to  the  king,  some 
time  after  I left  Cape  Coast,  requesting  him  to 
let  me  leave  Coomassie  whenever  I thought 
proper. 


MISSIONS  IN  WESTERN  AFRICA.  109 

I certainly  deeply  regretted  the  necessity 
of  leaving  so  early ; but  had  I stayed  longer,  I 
must,  in  all  probability,  have  stayed  until  the 
rainy  season  was  over,  which  I was  not  prepared 
to  do. 

Doubtless,  there  has  been  a great  advantage 
gained  by  this  enterprise  ; and  I trust,  my  dear 
sirs,  you  will,  by  the  liberality  of  British  Chris- 
tians, and  especially  those  of  our  own  body,  be 
enabled  to  follow  up  that  advantage  by  sending- 
out,  as  early  as  possible,  three  or  four  mission- 
aries, at  the  least,  that  more  attention  may  be 
paid  to  Ashantee. 

I intend  sending  up  a messenger  to  the  king, 
to  keep  the  communication  open,  as  soon  as 
the  rains  are  over ; and  shall  wait  with  great 
anxiety  for  an  answer  from  you,  as  to  what 
steps  are  to  be  taken.  If  it  were  practicable, 
a handsome  present,  of  the  description  I men- 
tioned in  my  last,  [namely,  a poney-phaeton 
and  harness,  suitable  to  the  country,]  would 
be  well  received  by  the  king,  and  be  of  much 
importance  in  influencing  his  mind  in  our  favour. 

After  I had  prepared  the  preceding  extracts 
from  my  journal,  I felt  it  my  duty  to  hand  them 
over  to  his  excellency,  President  Maclean,  who, 
after  he  had  perused  them,  returned  them  with 


110  MISSIONS  IN  WESTERN  AFRICA. 

the  following  letter,  which  he  has  kindly  permit- 
ted me  to  annex  to  them  : — 

“ My  Dear  Sir, — I herewith  return  your 
narrative  of  your  journey  to  Ashantee,  which  I 
have  perused  with  very  great  interest. 

“ I would  fain  hope,  from  the  manner  in  which 
you  were  received  in  your  avowed  character  as 
a missionary,  throughout  the  whole  of  your  ar- 
duous journey,  that  there  will  not  exist  many  ob- 
stacles to  the  accomplishment  of  the  first  object — 
getting  a locus  standi  in  the  country.  Cer- 
tainly I think  there  will  be  no  insuperable  ob- 
stacle. 

“ I hope  and  trust  the  Wesleyan  Missionary 
Committee  will  be  satisfied  that  there  is  such 
an  opening  as  will  justify  them  in  pushing  the 
advantage  gained  by  your  indefatigable  zeal. 
I would  almost  go  so  far  as  to  say  that,  if  they 
have  the  means , a serious  responsibility  will  rest 
upon  them,  and  on  Christian  England,  if  so  glo- 
rious an  opening  into  interior  Africa,  if  so  rich 
a harvest,  be  neglected.  But  I hope  better 
things.  And  I do  not  despair  of  yet  witnessing 
the  peaceful  triumph  of  the  cross,  even  in  that 
strong-hold  of  Satan,  Coomassie. 

“ I expect  considerable  advantages  will  arise 
from  the  Christian  education  of  the  two  Ashan- 
tee princes  now  in  England.  If  well  supported, 


MISSIONS  IN  WESTERN  AFRICA.  Ill 

(for  all  depends  upon  that,)  their  influence  in 
Ashantee  will  aid  the  good  cause  much.  I shall 
not  fail  to  direct  them  to  be  introduced  to  the 
Wesleyan  Missionary  Committee. 

“ Believe  me  yours  very  truly, 

“ George  Maclean. 

“ Cape  Coast  Castle , July  Qth,  1839. 

“ The  Rev.  T.  B.  Freeman.” 

Thus,  my  dear  sirs,  I have  endeavoured  to 
discharge  what  I feel  to  be  a very  important 
duty.  And  casting  myself,  as  usual,  on  your 
kind  indulgence,  for  having  used  so  many  words 
in  support  of  a cause  which  I know  would 
strongly  recommend  itself  to  your  hearts  and 
affections  without  my  saying  any  thing* 
subscribe  myself,  &c., 
(Signed)  T.  B.  Freeman. 

Mission  Housey  Cape  Coast  Castley  Jdy  10*  1839, 


112 


MISSIONS  IN  WESTERN  AFRICA, 


CHAPTER  IV. 

Hopeful  results  of  the  journey  of  Mr.  Freeman  to 
Ashantee — Missions  on  the  Gold  Coast — Notices  of  the 
Wesleyan  Missionary  Committee  relating  to  Ashantee — • 
Ordination  and  valedictory  services ; and  departure  of 
Rev . Thomas  B.  Freeman  and  party. 

HOPEFUL  RESULTS  OF  THE  JOURNEY  OF  MR.  FREEMAN  TO 
ASHANTEE. 

The  following  extract  of  a letter  from  the 
Rev.  T.  B.  Freeman,  dated  Cape  Coast  Castle, 
September  17th,  1839,  shows  the  hopeful  re- 
sults of  his  journey  to  Ashantee  : — 

“ I am  very  glad  that  you  have  received  my 
letter  of  May  7th ; and  hope,  ere  this  reaches 
you,  you  will  have  received  my  journal  and 
other  papers.  The  results  of  my  mission  to 
Ashantee  are  now  beginning  to  be  manifest. 
The  king,  I hear,  from  good  authority,  is  be- 
coming anxious  respecting  the  establishment 
of  a school  in  Coomassie,  and  is  expecting  me 
to  pay  him  another  visit ; and  many  of  the 
Ashantees  who  became  acquainted  with  me 
during  my  late  visit,  call  at  the  mission-house 
to  see  me,  when  they  come  down  to  Cape 
Coast.  A brother  of  Corintchie  has  this  morn- 
ing paid  me  a visit,  presenting  Corintchie’s  re- 


MISSIONS  IN  WESTERN  AFRICA.  113 

gards,  and  stating  that  they  will  be  very  happy 
to  see  me  in  Ashantee  again.  If  the  advantage 
already  gained  can  be  followed  up,  I have  no 
doubt  that,  under  the  blessing  of  the  God  of 
missions,  we  shall,  in  due  time,  meet  with 
abundant  success  in  Ashantee.” 

MISSIONS  ON  THE  GOLD  COAST. 

The  following  communication  from  Mr.  Free- 
man, in  connection  with  his  journal  and  letters 
respecting  Ashantee,  afford  very  gratifying  evi- 
dence, that  the  signal  blessing  of  Almighty  God 
has  already  attended  the  labours  of  the  Wes- 
leyan mission  among  the  heathen  of  that  part- 
of  Western  Africa  in  which  he  has  been  em- 
ployed.— Edit . Wes.  Mag . 

Rev.  and  Dear  Sirs,- — I am  happy  to  inform 
you,  that  our  new  chapel  at  Annamaboe  is  in  a 
sufficient  state  of  forwardness  for  constant  use. 
The  foundation  was  laid  August  14th,  1838. 
It  is  built  with  stone  from  the  bottom  of  the 
foundation  to  the  height  of  one  foot  above  the 
ground  : the  remaining  part  of  the  walls  are 
swish.  The  walls  are  two  feet  thick,  very 
strong  and  durable,  and  carried  to  the  height  of 
sixteen  feet.  The  roof  is  made  with  deal,  pur- 
chased at  a reasonable  price  in  the  neighbour- 
8 


114  MISSIONS  IN  WESTERN  AFRICA. 

hood,  and  thatched.  Its  dimensions  are  fifty- 
three  feet  by  thirty,  and  will  seat  from  four  to 
five  hundred  persons.  "The  floor  is  of  the  same 
material  as  the  greater  part  of  the  walls.  A 
pulpit  and  communion  rails  are  erected,  and  the 
whole  of  the  remaining  space  is  fitted  up  with 
fixed  benches.  Had  not  the  people  exerted 
themselves  exceedingly,  it  could  not  have  been 
so  forward ; but  I am  glad  to  say,  that  they 
came  nobly  forward  to  the  work,  both  in  labour 
and  contributions ; and  the  happy  consequence 
is,  that  it  is  placed  out  of  all  danger  from  the 
rains,  which  have  been  very  violent  and  de- 
structive this  season.  A few  days  after  my  ar- 
rival from  the  interior,  I went  down  to  x\nna- 
maboe,  taking  with  me  carpenters,  bricklayers, 
&c.,  to  prepare  it  for  opening  as  early  as  pos- 
sible. All  things  being  ready,  on  Sunday,  May 
26th,  1839,  I opened  it  for  divine  worship. 

At  seven  A.  M.  I read  prayers,  and  preached 
to  an  attentive  congregation,  from,  “ Know  ye 
that  the  Lord,  he  is  God,”  &e.  Psalm  c,  3,  4. 
Many  felt  it  to  be  a delightful  service,  and  the 
tear  of  gratitude  to  Almighty  God  was  shed. 
Many  of  our  members  at  Cape  Coast  came 
down,  though  the  distance  is  twelve  miles  and 
a half,  to  congratulate  their  Annamaboe  friends, 


MISSIONS  IN  WESTERN  AFRICA.  115 

and  share  with  them  in  the  solemn  and  sacred 
blessings  of  the  day. 

At  three  P.  M.  I again  preached  to  a very 
large  congregation,  amounting  to  about  one 
thousand  persons,  from  Heb.  i\\  9-13.  The 
chapel  would  not  -hold  the  whole  congregation : 
several  hundreds  of  heathens  crowded  the  win- 
dows. 

At  seven  P.  M.  I again  preached,  from  Heb. 
iv,  14-16.  We  had  a large,  attentive,  serious 
congregation.  Many  present  felt  it  u good  to 
wait  on  the  Lord.” 

The  collections  amounted  to  £10  3s.  9 d., 
notwithstanding  the  previous  exertions  on  the 
part  of  the  people. 

It  affords  me  much  pleasure  to  state,  that  I 
called  upon  the  gentlemen  residing  in  Annama- 
boe,  a few  days  before  the  chapel  was  opened, 
to  solicit  their  aid,  and  succeeded  in  every  ap- 
plication. Several  gentlemen  at  Cape  Coast 
also  rendered  us  their  timely  and  friendly  aid. 
The  sum  thus  raised  at  Cape  Coast  and  Anna- 
maboe  amounts  to  £32  currency ; for  which  we 
feel  thankful. 

Our  cordial  thanks  are  due  especially  to 
Henry  Barnes,  Esq.,  (in  whose  house  I always 
find  a hearty  welcome,  and  a comfortable  home 


116  MISSIONS  IN  WESTERN  AFRICA. 

whenever  I visit  Annamaboe,)  for  his  kind  as- 
sistance, not  only  in  his  liberal  contributions, 
but  also  in  superintending  the  work  at  all  times 
during  my  absence  ; and  in  sending  his  work- 
men (carpenters  and  bricklayers)  to  assist  in 
carrying  on  the  work  at  the  chapel,  at  various 
times,  gratuitously. 

While  the  chapel  walls  were  building,  many 
of  our  people  at  Annamaboe,  not  excepting 
some  of  the  most  respectable  among  them,  were 
often  seen  busily  engaged  in  carrying  swish,  &c., 
as  early  as  two  or  three  o’clock  in  the  morning. 

Since  the  chapel  has  been  opened,  my  kind 
friend  Mr.  Barnes  has,  at  his  own  expence, 
painted  the  pulpit  and  communion  rails,  &c.  ; 
and  as  the  inside  of  the  chapel  has  had  one 
coat  of  whitewash,  it  has  now  a very  neat  ap- 
pearance. Blessed  be  God,  who  thus  prospers 
the  work  of  our  hands  ! 

I have  also  the  high  satisfaction  of  informing 
you,  that  our  little  chapel  at  Winnebah  is  open- 
ed for  divine  worship.  The  foundation-stone 
was  laid  July-25th,  1838.  Our  little  society 
there  exerted  themselves  to  the  utmost  of  their 
power;  stimulated  and  led  on  by  Mr.  William 
De  Graft,  who  is  now  living  with  me  in  the 
mission-house,  as  provisional  assistant.  The 
walls  are  built  with  swish,  on  a stone  founda- 


MISSIONS  IN  WESTERN  AFRICA.  117 

tion,  and  carried  to  a height  of  fourteen  feet. 
The  roof  is  made  with  native  wTood,  and  thatch- 
ed. Its  dimensions  are  thirty-four  feet  by  nine- 
teen. 

After  I had  opened  the  Annamaboe  chapel,  I 
proceeded  to  Winnebah,  for  the  purpose  of  fit- 
ting up  and  opening  the  chapel.  Finding,  how- 
ever, that  it  was  hardly  ready  for  me,  I sent  up 
to  Cape  Coast  for  an  extra  carpenter ; and  then 
journeyed  on  to  British  Accra,  (a  distance  of 
forty  miles,)  to  visit  our  society,  &c.,  recently 
established  there. 

During  my  short  stay  at  Accra,  I received 
much  kindness  from  the  gentlemen  and  autho- 
rities ; especially  from  J.  W.  Hanson,  Esq.,  the 
commandant,  and  from  J.  Bannsman,  Esq.,  with 
whom  I always  find  a cordial  welcome. 

As  I had  no  convenient  place  for  meeting  the 
society  while  staying  at  Accra,  Mr.  Hanson 
kindly  lent  me  the  large  hall  in  the  fort  for  that 
purpose.  I am  glad  to  say,  that  I found  the 
society  and  schools  in  a flourishing  condition. 
There  are  thirty-five  members  in  society ; and 
in  the  schools  sixty-five  boys  and  twenty  girls. 
The  boys’  school  has  been  established  six 
months,  and  the  girls  two  months.  The  local 
government  having  undertaken  to  bear  half  of 
the  expenses  of  the  boys’  school,  the  command- 


118  MISSIONS  IN  WESTERN  AFRICA. 

ant  has  kindly  made  comfortable  arrangements 
for  the  schoolmaster  and  mistress  to  reside,  and 
for  both  schools  to  be  kept  in  the  fort,  until  I 
can  make  some  final  provision  concerning  them. 

The  government  will  take  no  part  in  the  ge- 
neral management  of  the  boys’  school,  that  be- 
ing entirely  left  to  us.  Several  of  the  boys, 
who  knew  not  their  letters  when  they  entered 
the  school,  can  now  read  lessons  in  the  New 
Testament.  God  be  praised,  our  prospects  at 
British  Accra  are  of  the  most  encouraging  na- 
ture. Pray  send  out  a missionary  for  Accra 
without  delay.  v 

Having  stayed  at  Accra  a few  days,  I again 
returned  to  Winnebah,  and  proceeded  to  fit  up 
the  chapel  without  delay.  In  eight  days  after 
my  return,  we  had  a neat  little  pulpit  erected, 
the  remaining  space  fitted  up  with  fixed  bench- 
es, and  every  necessary  arrangement  made  for 
opening  it  on  Sunday,  June  23d,  1839. 

At  seven  A.  M.  we  held  a prayer  meeting  in 
the  chapel ; and  at  eleven  A.  M.  I read  prayers 
and  preached  to  an  attentive,  serious  congrega- 
tion, from,  “ For  thy  Maker  is  thine  husband, 
the  Lord  of  hosts  is  his  name,”  &c.  Isaiah  liv, 
5-8.  God  was  in  the  midst  of  us,  and  blessed 
us.  The  chief,  and  many  of  the  most  respect- 
able heathens  in  the  town,  were  present ; and 


MISSIONS  IN  WESTERN  AFRICA.  119 

many  of  them  paid  deep  attention  to  the  word 
spoken. 

At  three  P.  M.  I again  preached  to  a large 
congregation,  from,  “ It  is  appointed  unto  men 
once  to  die,”  &c.  Heb.  ix,  27.  The  chief 
and  his  captains,  &c.,  again  attended,  and  be- 
haved very  well  indeed.  The  respectable  be- 
haviour of  these  heathens  reminded  me  forcibly 
of  the  mighty  change  which  has  taken  place  in 
the  character  of  the  Winnebah  people  during 
the  last  few  years.  Several  years  ago  there 
was  a small  linglish  fort  in  the  centre  of  the 
town.  Some  misunderstanding  having  arisen 
between  the  natives  and  the  commandant,  the 
former  rebelled  against  the  latter  and  slew  him. 
The  consequence  was,  that  some  British  men- 
of-war  fired  on  the  town  as  they  sailed  past  it, 
and  battered  the  fort  to  the  ground ; causing 
the  refractory  inhabitants  to  retreat  into  the  fo- 
rest. On  the  very  spot  where  the  fort  once 
stood,  and  where  these  unhappy  events  took 
place,  stands  our  little  chapel ; and  on  this  very 
spot  were  collected  together,  peacefully  attend- 
ing to  the  words  of  eternal  life,  the  descendants 
of  those  who  had,  in  former  days,  been  collect- 
ed together  to  shed  blood.  This  mighty  change 
has  taken  place  partly  through  the  instrument- 
lity  of  the  local  government  of  Cape  Coast ; 


120  MISSIONS  IN  WESTERN  AFRICA. 

and,  secondly,  by  the  introduction  of  that  in- 
comparable blessing,  Christianity. 

After  the  conclusion  of  the  afternoon  service 
I spoke  to  the  people  concerning  the  opening 
of  a school  for  the  instruction  of  their  children. 
They  readily  consented  to  send  their  children, 
whenever  I could  make  arrangements  for  a 
commencement. 

The  rains  are  now  very  violent,  and  travel- 
ling rather  difficult ; but  as  soon  as  they  are 
over,  (which  will  be,  I hope,  in  a few  days,)  I 
intend  sending  down  one  of  the  ^buths  whom  I 
have  had  in  training  in  the  mission-house,  on 
purpose  to  commence  the  school.  Winnebah 
is  a place  of  great  importance  to  us,  being  about 
midway  between  Cape  Coast  and  British  Ac- 
cra. While  toiling  along  the  coast  for  a dis- 
tance of  nearly  or  quite  a hundred  miles,  visit- 
ing our  societies,  I find  Winnebah  a delightful 
retreat  from  the  heavy  sand  beach,  the  burning 
rays  of  an  almost  vertical  sun,  and  the  strong 
breeze  from  the  Atlantic.  I hope  to  see  much 
lasting  good  result  from  the  erection  of  a cha- 
pel, and  the  establishment  of  a school  at  that 
place. 

Our  little  chapel,  or,  rather,  school-room,  at 
Domanassie,  I am  happy  to  say,  is  also  fit  for 
use. 


MISSIONS  IN  WESTERN  AFRICA.  121 

I must  here  beg  leave  to  insert  a few  ex- 
tracts from  my  Journal  for  the  last  year,  1838. 

November  22 d,  Thursday . — At  five  A.  M.  I 
left  Annamaboe  for  Domanassie.  As  I was 
passing  through  the  glens  I saw  a splendid 
production  of  nature  : several  large  trees,  from 
thirty  to  forty  feet  high,  covered  with  blossoms 
nearly  as  large  as  a tulip,  of  a fine  scarlet  co- 
lour, ornamented  round  the  lamina  with  a golden 
fringe,  courted  my  attention.  On  examination 
I found  it  to  belong  to  the  class  “ didynamia  ” 
of  Linnaeus.  Amidst  the  various  beauties  of 
Flora,  on  which  I have  feasted  my  eyes,  both 
in  England  and  Africa,  I have  seen  nothing 
comparable  to  this  splendid  tree : even  the 
horse  chestnut,  the  glory  of  Mount  Pindus, 
cannot  vie  with  this  beauty  of  the  glen. 

About  half  past  twelve  I reached  Domanas- 
sie ; and,  to  my  great  satisfaction,  found  our 
society  increasing  in  divine  knowledge,  in  num- 
ber, and  in  peace. 

Saturday , 24th. — I was  engaged  in  levelling 
the  floor  of  the  little  swish  chapel,  which  our 
people  have  built  nearly  at  their  own  expense ; 
intending  to  preach  in  it  on  the  morrow,  though 
it  is  in  an  unfinished  state. 

Sunday , 2 5th. — At  seven  A.  M.  a prayer 
meeting  was  held  in  the  new  chapel.  I felt 


122  MISSIONS  IN  WESTERN  AFRICA. 

greatly  encouraged  in  seeing  this  little  African 
temple  full  of  persons,  joining  in- one  general 
burst  of  praise  to  God.  How  applicable,  spi- 
ritually, to  this  scene  are  the  words  of  our 
hymn ! — 

“ Hark  ! the  wastes  have  found  a voice, 

Lonely  deserts  now  rejoice, 

Gladsome  hallelujahs  sing, 

All  around  with  praises  ring. 

* “ Lo  ! abundantly  they  bloom, 

Lebanon  is  hither  come  ; 

Carmel’s  stores  the  heavens  dispense, 

Sharon’s  fertile  excellence. 

“ See,  these  barren  souls  of  ours 
Bloom,  and  put  forth  fruits  and  flowers, 

Flowers  of  Eden,  fruits  of  grace, 

Peace,  and  joy,  and  righteousness !” 

It  is  with  heartfelt  pleasure  I also  inform 
you,  that  we  have  a small  society  at  a large 
croom  called  Salt  Pond,  (which  takes  its  name 
from  a salt  pond  near  it,)  situated  on  the  beach, 
about  eight  miles  above  Annamaboe  ; and  that 
they  are  very  anxious  to  build  a little  chapel, 
which  they  will  accomplish  themselves  ; the 
laying  of  the  foundation,  and  the  doors  and 
window-shutters,  being  excepted.  Consequent- 
ly, as  soon  as  the  rains  are  fairly  over,  I intend 


MISSIONS  IN  WESTERN  AFRICA.  123 

to  go  down  and  commence  the  building  for 
them,  and  then  get  the  doors  and  windows 
made  at  Cape  Coast,  and  send  them  down  in  a 
canoe.  Without  chapels  very  little  can  be  done 
on  this  station. 

I trust,  my  dear  sirs,  that  you  will  not  blame 
me  for  drawing  £25  for  the  Annamaboe  chapel, 
£15  for  the  Winnebah  chapel,  and  £5  for  the 
Domanassie  chapel,  as  I have  done  so  from 
pure  necessity.  A coat  of  plaster  and  white- 
wash outside  is  nearly  all  that  any  of  the  above- 
mentioned  chapels  will  require  ; and  that,  I 
hope,  we  shall  be  able  to  accomplish  without 
any  further  assistance  from  you. 

The  heavy  rains  have  done  some  damage  to 
the  vestry  at  Cape  Coast,  which  will  place  me 
under  the  necessity  of  employing  two  or  three 
bricklayers  for  some  time  in  repairing  it,  after 
the  rains  are  over. 

I had  just  returned  from  Winnebah  to  Anna- 
maboe, and  was  resting  myself  there  a few 
days,  when  I received  information  that  the 
vestry  had  suffered  materially  from  the  rains. 
This  unpleasant  news  arrived  just  as  I was 
taking  my  dinner ; and  I speedily  packed  up 
my  things,  and  came  up  to  Cape  Coast  the 
same  afternoon,  fearing  lest  the  chapel  should 
sustain  any  injury.  I am  happy,  however,  to 


124 


MISSIONS  IN  WESTERN  AFRICA. 


state  that  it  has  taken  no  harm,  neither  is  it  in 
any  danger. 

The  two  old  native  houses,  which  stood  near 
the  chapel  at  Cape  Coast,  I have  purchased, 
and  pulled  down,  to  avoid  any  accident  by  fire. 
I have  only  drawn  on  you  for  the  payment  for 
one  of  them,  as  I am  not  prepared  to  give  you 
an  account  of  the  exact  amount  of  the  purchase, 
some  trifling  things  in  connection  therewith 
not  being  finally  settled.  I also  hope  to  make 
some  arrangements  for  removing  the  female 
school  to  the  present  mission-house,  as  soon  as 
I obtain  your  permission  to  purchase  it  for  a 
permanent  residence  ; and  then  there  will  be  a 
year  or  two’s  rent  of  the  house  (the  old  mission- 
house  taken  by  Mr.  Wrigley)  in  which  the  fe- 
male school  is  now  kept,  which  would  nearly 
or  quite  pay  for  the  purchase  of  the  old  native 
house  in  question. 

There  will  always  be  new  perplexities  and 
expenses  arising  on  this  station  about  houses, 
until  a purchase  is  made,  and  the  school  kept 
on  the  same  premises. 

At  Yancoomassie,  a large  native  town  in 
Fantee,  about  twenty-eight  miles  inland,  there 
is  an  excellent  opening  for  the  establishment 
of  a school,  &c.  Assin  Chibboe,  the  chief, 
called  on  me  at  the  mission-house  a few  weeks 


MISSIONS  IN  WESTERN  AFRICA.  125 

after  I passed  through  the  town  on  my  return 
from  Ashantee  ; and,  on  my  asking  him  if  he 
would  assist  us  in  erecting  a chapel  in  his  town, 
he  answered,  “ Yes.  If  you  will  send  a person 
or  two  to  direct,  I will  find  men  to  do  the  greater 
part  of  the  work.”  For  further  remarks  on  the 
kindness  of  Assin  Chibboe,  and  the  character, 
Sic.,  of  his  town,  see  my  Ashantee  Journal. 
(Pages  21,  22,  103,  of  this  work.) 

I verily  believe,  that  ere  another  rainy  sea- 
son arrives,  there  will  be  three  or  four  more 
chapels  erected  on  this  station  by  the  Christian 
zeal  of  our  native  societies. 

I trust,  my  dear  sirs,  that  a glorious  host  of 
immortal  souls  will  be  realized  in  this  part  of 
Africa,  if  these  advantages  can  be  followed  up. 

The  amount  of  good  done  on  this  station, 
during  the  short  time  your  missionaries  have 
visited  it,  has  a much  greater  latitude  than  the 
Fantee  country ; though  that  is  very  exten- 
sive. 

The  trading  habits  of  many  of  our  members 
cause  them  to  travel  hundreds  of  miles  into  the 
interior.  To  these  trading  places  they  carry 
the  word  of  life  ; and  I anx  glad  to  say,  that  the 
Lord  blesses  their  humble  exertions  in  giving 
them  “ souls  for  their  hire.”  Incredible  as  the 
following  incident  may  appear,  the  fact  is  not 


126  MISSIONS  IN  WESTERN  AFRICA. 

the  less  certain.  While  I was  in  Coomassie, 
one  of  these  converts  to  Christianity,  from  the 
interior , applied  to  me  for  Christian  baptism. 
As  I found,  during  his  examination,  every  proof 
of  a sincere  desire  and  purpose  to  live  as  a 
true  disciple  of  Christ,  I,  of  course,  granted  his 
request;  and  publicly  baptized  him  in  the  pre» 
sence  of  many  Ashantees.  Surely,  Ethiopia  is 
stretching  out  her  hands  to  God. 

As  I know  that  the  bare  statement  of  these 
facts  will  have  more  weight  with  you  than  any 
observations  I can  make,  I need  not  cry,  “ Men 
of  Israel,  help !”  I therefore  humbly  submit 
them  to  your  serious  consideration. 

Believe  me,  rev.  and  dear  sirs,  your  obedi- 
ent servant  in  the  gospel  of  Christ, 

Thomas  B.  Freeman. 

NOTICES  OF  THE  WESLEYAN  MISSIONARY  COMMITTEE  RE- 
LATING TO  ASHANTEE. 

Soon  after  the  reception  of  this  letter,  the 
committee  issued  the  following  notice  : — 

The  committee  of  the  Wesleyan  Missionary 
Society  are  thankful  to  find  that  they  were  not 
mistaken  in  supposing  that  the  Journal  of  the 
Rev.  Thomas  B.  Freeman’s  late  visit  to  Ashan- 
tee  would  be  perused  with  feelings  of  much 
more  than  ordinary  interest,  and  that  the  ap 


MISSIONS  IN  WEST  RN  AFRICA.  127 

peal  with  which  they  deemed  it  their  duty  to 
accompany  that  document  could  not  fail  to 
produce,  in  due  season,  a suitable  response. 
The  response,  the  practical  and  pecuniary  re- 
sponse, has  already  commenced.  We  have 
great  satisfaction  in  inserting  the  following 
letter  from  one  of  the  oldest  and  best  friends 
of  the  society: — - 

“To  the  General  Secretaries'  of  the  Wesleyan 
Missionary  Society. 

“Liverpool,  January  13 th,  1840. 

“ Very  Dear  Sirs, — I have  just  finished 
the  reading  of  Mr.  Freeman’s  account  of  his 
visit  to  Ashantee.  I see  you  must  have  an 
extra  effort  to  do  any  thing  to  purpose  in  that 
quarter.  The  effect  of  his  statements,  and  of 
your  observations,  impels  me  to  annex  an  order 
on  Smith,  Payne,  and  Co.,  for  ten  guineas, 
[about  fifty  dollars,]  for  that  special  object ; 
and  I sincerely  wish  you  may  have,  generally, 
such  encouragement  as  will  enable  you,  pru- 
dently, to  meet  Mr.  Freeman’s  views.  May  the 
great  Head  of  the  church  give  you  such  men 
as  himself  to  aid  him  and  you  ; and  preserve 
their  lives  for  this  great  work ! 

“ With  best  wishes,  &c.,  I remain,  very  dear 
sirs,  yours,  sincerely, 


“Thomas  Crook. 


128  MISSIONS  IN  WESTERN  AFRICA. 

The  committee  have  also  been  favoured  with 
the  following  special  donations,  spontaneously- 
forwarded,  for  the  same  object,  namely  : — 


£ s.  d. 

Thomas  Farmer,  Esq.,  Gunnersbury  house  - 52  10  0 

Thomas  Crook,  Esq.,  Liverpool , (see  his  letter 

on  the  preceding  page)  - - -10100 

Mr.  G.  W.  Harrison,  Wakefield , by  the  Rev. 

W.  Bacon  - - - - 10  10  0 

Samuel  Mills,  Esq.,  Russell- square , London  - 10  10  0 

A friend  to  missions  - - - 5 0 0 

E.  J.,  a member  of  the  society  of  Friends  - 5 0 0 

* Rev.  Thomas  Rogers,  Oxford  - - 2 0 0 

A friend,  Camden-town  - - 1 0 0 

A friend  to  missions,  by  the  Rev.  Dr.  Alder  - 10  0 


Thus  the  work  of  providing  the  means  for 
one  of  the  noblest  enterprises  which  the  true 
friends  of  Africa  were  ever  called  to  attempt, 
has  been  happily  commenced.  The  committee 
anxiously  trust  that  it  will  proceed  with  a 
promptitude  and  liberality  worthy  of  the  occa- 
sion, and  that,  very  soon,  they  shall  receive 
such  further  substantial  proofs  of  the  sympathy 
of  the  Christian  public  with  themselves  in  this 
great  undertaking,  as  will  justify  them  in  taking 
measures  forthwith  for  its  accomplishment. 

After  this  Mr.  Freeman  made  a visit  to  Eng- 
land. He  arrived  in  London  in  June,  1840, 
accompanied  by  Mr.  William  De  Graft,  a na- 


MISSIONS  IN  WESTERN  AFRICA.  129 

t,ive  local  preacher.  At  the  conference  held  at 
Newcastle-upon-Tyne,  the  following  month, 
four  missionaries  were  appointed  for  the  west- 
ern coast  of  Africa,  including  Ashantee,  and 
two  more  were  to  be  selected.  By  the  month 
of  June,  1841,  $25,000  had  been  received  by 
the  treasurers  of  the  Missionary  Society  ex- 
pressly for  that  mission. 

ORDINATION  AND  VALEDICTORY  SERVICES  ; AND  DEPART 
URE  OF  REV.  THOMAS  B.  FREEMAN  AND  PARTY. 

On  Monday,  the  1st  of  December,  a special  4 
service  was  held  at  Great  Queen-street  chapel, 
connected  with  the  departure  of  the  missiona- 
ries appointed  to  Ashantee  and  the  coast  of 
Guinea;  and  notwithstanding  the  limited  ex- 
tent to  which  previous  notice  of  the  meeting 
had  been  circulated,  the  chapel  was  well  filled 
with  a very  attentive  and  devout  audience. 

The  service  was  conducted  by  the  Rev.  Drs. 
Bunting,  Hannah,  and  Alder,  and  Messrs. 
Beecham  and  Hoole.  The  newly  appointed 
missionaries,  Messrs.  Hesk,  Watson,  Shipman, 
Thackwray,  and  Walden,  were  introduced  to 
the  meeting  ; and  the  three  former  gave  a brief 
detail  of  the  circumstances  by  which,  under  di- 
vine Providence,  they  had  seen  it  their  duty  to 
offer  themselves  for  the  arduous  services  of  a 
9 


130  MISSIONS  IN  WESTERN  AFRICA. 

mission  to  Africa.  The  five  missionaries  were 
then  solemnly  ordained  to  the  office  and  work 
of  the  Christian  ministry.  Dr.  Bunting  con- 
ducted the  ordinance  service ; and  the  other 
ministers  above  mentioned  assisted  in  the  “ lay- 
ing on  of  hands.”  The  Rev.  John  Beecham 
next  addressed  the  missionaries  on  the  peculiar 
circumstances  and  duties  of  the  mission  to 
which  they  had  been  solemnly  designated.  He 
then  introduced  the  Rev.  Thomas  B.  Freeman, 
who,  with  deep  feeling,  acknowledged  the 
kindness  he  had  experienced  during  his  visit  to 
this  country ; and  expressed  his  thankfulness 
for  the  success  he  had  met  with  in  his  endeav- 
ours to  awaken  a more  lively  interest  and  act- 
ive exertion  in  behalf  of  that  part  of  Africa 
which  it  was  his  business  to  represent.  Mr. 
De  Graft,  a native  Fantee  assistant  on  the  mis- 
sion, who  had  accompanied  Mr.  Freeman  to 
this  country,  took  his  farewell  of  the  Christian 
public,  by  a most  appropriate  and  interesting 
address  ; at  the  close  of  which  Dr.  Bunting,  in 
the  name  of  the  committee,  presented  to  him  a 
Bible  as  a token  of  their  regard  and  affection, 
and  expressed  a hope  that  he  would  still  suc- 
cessfully study  and  publish  those  blessed  and 
important  truths  which  that  holy  book  re- 
veals. 


MISSIONS  IN  WESTERN  AFRICA.  131 

The  Rev.  Dr.  Hannah,  theological  tutor  of 
the  Wesleyan  institution,  delivered  to  the  mis- 
sionaries a very  instructive  and  impressive 
charge  ; and,  at  the  close  of  the  service,  the 
whole  congregation  appeared  to  unite  most  fer- 
vently in  the  prayer  which  was  offered  up  in 
behalf  of  the  missionaries,  and  for  the  success 
of  the  mission,  by  the  Rev.  Dr.  Bunting. 

On  Wednesday,  the  2d  of  December,  the 
missionaries  and  Mr.  De  Graft  took  their  for- 
mal leave  of  the  general  committee  of  the  Wes- 
leyan Missionary  Society,  and  of  the  Wesleyan 
ministers  of  London  and  its  vicinity,  a great 
number  of  whom  were  present  on  the  occasion 
in  Hatton-Garden. 

The  sailing  of  the  44  Osborn,”  by  which  ves- 
sel the  missionaries  were  to  proceed  to  Cape 
Coast,  was  delayed  until  Thursday,  the  10th  of 
December  : on  that  day  the  whole  party  em- 
barked at  Gravesend,  and  immediately  set  sail. 
They  are,  in  all,  eleven  persons  ; namely,  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Freeman,  and  native  boy ; Mr.  De 
Graft;  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hesk  ; Mr.  Watson  ; Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Shipman  ; Mr.  Thackwray;  and  Mr. 
Walden.  Never  was  a missionary  party  dis- 
missed from  the  shores  of  England  with  a more 
intense  feeling  of  interest  and  sympathy.  All 
acknowledged  the  very  arduous  and  difficult 


132  MISSIONS  IN  WESTERN  AFRICA. 

character  of  the  mission,  as  well  as  its  import- 
ant bearings  on  the  welfare  of  the  human  race, 
and  one  of  the  boldest  efforts  yet  made  by  the 
church  in  modern  times  to  introduce  Christi- 
anity and  its  attendant  blessings  to  the  inde- 
pendent negro  states  of  interior  Africa.  Thou- 
sands of  prayers  have  been  offered  in  behalf 
of  these  missionaries  and  their  undertaking ; 
and  we  do  not  doubt  that  they  will  be  con- 
stantly remembered  at  the  throne  of  grace,  by 
those  who  are  concerned  for  the  prosperity  and 
extension  of  the  kingdom  of  Christ. 


LETTERS  FROM  MISSIONARIES. 
Extract  of  a letter  from  Rev.  Thomas  B.  Freeman , 
dated  Annamaboe,  Gold  Coast , Western  Africa , 
May  5th , 1841. 

A Bristol  vessel  being  about  to  sail  for  Eng- 
land from  British  Accra,  I embrace  the  oppor- 
tunity of  informing  you  of  our  arrangements 
and  operations,  our  health  and  prospects. 

On  Wednesday,  March  31st,  we  held  a meet- 
ing, at  which  your  instructions  were  read,  and 
arrangements  were  made  for  carrying  your 
plans  into  effect. 

Mr.  Mycock’s  departure  for  England,  and  the 


MISSIONS  IN  WESTERN  AFRICA.  133 

peculiar  position  of  Dix-Cove, — which  place 
some  of  our  American  brethren  from  Cape 
Palmas  had  thought  of  occupying,  but  have 
now  relinquished,  because  we  were  prepared 
to  supply  it  with  a missionary  without  delay, 
and  because  they  wish  to  adhere  to  the  princi- 
ple of  non-interference, — have  rendered  some 
alterations  in  the  stations  of  the  brethren  es- 
sentially necessary.  In  consequence  thereof 
Mr.  Watson  occupies  Dix-Cove,  and  Mr.  De 
Graft  resides  at  Winnebah. 

All  the  brethren,  except  Mr.  Thackwray, 
have  proceeded  to  occupy  their  different  posts  ; 
and  I have  made  arrangements  for  proceeding 
to  Domonassi  with  Mr.  Thackwray  early  to- 
morrow morning.  Mr.  Brooking  is  now  resid- 
ing at  Mansu,  and  making  preparations  for  our 
enterprise  in  Ashantee.  Mansu  will  be  a place 
of  great  importance  to  us  while  carrying  on  our 
operations  in  Ashantee  ; and  I think  we  shall 
find  it  to  be  a very  healthy  situation.  I have 
received  an  encouraging  message  from  the  king 
of  Ashantee,  from  which  I learn  that  he  enter- 
tains friendly  feelings  toward  us,  and  will  be 
very  glad  to  see  us  in  Coomassie.  On  the  29th 
of  March  we  held  our  missionary  meeting, 
which  had  been  postponed  for  several  weeks 
on  account  of  our  party  not  having  arrived  : 


134  MISSIONS  IN  WESTERN  AFRICA. 

President  Maclean,  with  his  usual  kindness, 
occupied  the  chair.  The  meeting  was  one  of 
some  interest ; and  the  collection,  including  the 
subscriptions  of  our  worthy  chairman,  and  other 
friends,  and  j£14  from  the  societies  in  sheep, 
goats,  <&c.,  amounted  to  £51  lls.  3d. 

Our  chapel  at  Annamaboe,  which  was  so  se- 
riously injured  by  the  rains  last  year,  is,  I am 
glad  to  say,  nearly  fit  for  occupation.  I hope 
to  see  it  re-opened  next  Sunday  week. 

In  my  last  I informed  you  of  the  recovery 
from  fever  of  Messrs.  Hesk,  Watson,  and  Ship- 
man.  Mrs.  Shipman,  I am  glad  to  say,  is  also 
regaining  her  strength  ; and  Mrs.  Freeman  has 
safely  passed  through  her  seasoning  fever,  and. 
is  sufficiently  strong  to  undertake  a journey  by 
land  to  Annamaboe,  where  we  are  now  staying. 
The  effects  of  the  seasoning  fever  are  still  re- 
maining in  Mr.  Hesk’s  constitution ; and  he 
has,  in  consequence,  taken  a short  cruise  up 
the  coast  for  the  benefit  of  his  health,  I hope 
the  Lord  will  bless  the  means  used  for  his 
recovery,  and  that  he  will  soon  return  to  us 
strengthened  and  improved.  I trust  the  lives 
of  our  whole  party  will  be  mercifully  preserved 
for  extensive  usefulness  among  the  millions  of 
pagans  around  us. 


MISSIONS  IN  WESTERN  AFRICA.  135 

Our  congregations  are  good.  The  societies 
are  enjoying  peace.  The  number  of  children 
in  the  schools  is  increasing,  and  all  things 
around  us  are  promising. 

We  have  our  trials  ; but  they  are  such  as  we 
cannot  but  expect,  and  we  do  not  wish  to  mag- 
nify them.  In  the  strength  of  the  great  Head 
of  the  church,  we  believe  that  we  shall  triumph 
over  every  obstacle. 

It  is  an  encouraging  fact  for  us  to  know,  that 
we  have  an  interest  in  your  prayers,  and  those 
of  the  Christian  public  of  England.  We  beg  a 
continuation  of  that  interest ; and  earnestly  do 
we  pray  for  the  peace  of  Jerusalem,  that  peace 
may  be  within  her  walls,  and  prosperity 
within  her  palaces,  and  that  all  the  ends  of 
the  earth  may  speedily  see  the  salvation  of 
our  God. 

I trust  that,  ere  this  reaches  you,  an  ample 
special  fund,  for  the  support  of  the  Gold  Coast 
mission,  will  have  been  realized  ; and  that  you 
will  send  us  out  another  missionary  without 
delay,  as  we  shall  very  much  need  another 
brotner  to  occupy  Cape  Coast,  while  Messrs. 
Brooking,  Walden,  and  myself,  are  in  Ashan- 
tee. 


136 


MISSIONS  IN  WESTERN  AFRICA. 


Extract  of  a letter  from  the  late  Rev.  William 

Thackwray , dated  Annamaboe , Gold  Coast , 

Western  Africa , May  5th , 1841. 

Honoured  Brethren  and  Fathers, — Hav- 
ing another  opportunity,  I gladly  embrace  it  to 
write  to  you  again.  I am  happy  to  inform  you 
of  my  own  health  and  welfare,  but  sorry  to  say, 
that  Mr.  Hesk,  my  superintendent,  is  very  ill, 
having  suffered  a relapse, — such  1 think  it  has 
been, — when  he  was  beginning  favourably  to 
recover  from  his  seasoning  fever.  He  exerted 
himself,  I fear,  too  soon  and  too  much,  forget- 
ting that  he  was  in  Africa ; and  the  result  has 
been  great  debilitation,  from  which  nothing  has 
been  able  hitherto  substantially  and  perma- 
nently to  raise  him.  Having  a favourable  op- 
portunity in  the  Pitt,  merchant  vessel  from 
Bristol,  to  cruise  along  the  coast  for  a few 
weeks,  he  went  a few  days  ago ; the  captain 
(Antrobus)  being  a friendly  man;  and  we  hope 
the  experiment  will  issue  favourably.  All  the 
rest  of  our  party  are  well,  unless  I except  Mrs. 
Freeman,  who  is  not  quite  recovered  from  her 
seasoning,  and  Mrs.  Hesk,  who  is  temporarily 
indisposed.  All  have  now  had  their  seasoning 
save  Mr.  Walden,*  Mrs.  Hesk,  and  myself. 

* A subsequent  letter  from  Mr.  Freeman  states,  that 


MISSIONS  IN  WESTERN  AFRICA.  137 

Mr.  Walden  has  been  favoured  with  exceed- 
ingly  good  health ; and  mine  is  at  least 
as  good  in  Africa  as  in  England.  A warm 
climate  appears  to  suit  me  very  well ; for 
which  I feel  thankful  to  Almighty  God.  I am 
just  on  the  point  of  leaving  for  Domanassie, 
most  of  my  boxes  and  household  requisites 
having  arrived  there  already.  I would  not  for- 
get to  mention  to  you  with  pleasure,  that  a na- 
tive merchant  here,  Mr.  Parker,  has  made  me 
a present  of  a lathe,  not  of  the  first-rate  kind, 
it  is  true,  but  still  useful,  which  I immediately 
devoted  to  the  mission,  and  it  has  gone  off  to 
Domanassie  this  morning,  with  other  things. 
Mr.  and  also  Mrs.  Freeman  are  here  at  pre- 
sent ; the  former  designing  to  accompany  me 
to-morrow  morning  to  Domanassie.  With  re- 
spect to  Ashantee,  we  can  say  as  yet  but  little 
or  nothing.  Mr.  Freeman,  as  perhaps  he  will 
inform  you,  has  had  a very  friendly  and  grati- 
fying correspondence  with  the  king  of  Ashan- 
tee ; and  we  confidently  hope,  that,  by  the  fa- 
vour of  an  over-ruling  Providence,  the  gospel 
of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ  will  be  happily  intro- 
duced and  established  among  the  barbarous 
and  warlike  Ashantees.  Yes,  I trust  the  bless- 

Mr.  Walden  has  safely  passed  through  the  usual  “ season- 
ing.”— Edit. 


138  MISSIONS  IN  WESTERN  AFRICA. 

mg  of  heaven  will  descend  upon  them  ike 
showers  upon  the  mown  grass  ; that  the  moral 
wilderness  may  be  glad  for  English  Christian 
missionaries,  and  that  the  intellectual  and  spi- 
ritual “ desert”  of  Ashantee  will  “ blossom  as 
the  rose.”  True  it  is,  that  the  national  charac- 
ter of  the  Ashantees  has  been  prominently  dis- 
tinguished by  ferocity,  and  (perhaps  sometimes 
not  without  cause)  by  political  jealousy ; and 
that,  therefore,  this  great  and  critical  enter- 
prise should  be  undertaken  with  the  greatest 
prudence,  and  managed  with  the  utmost  cau- 
tion. Even  at  this  moment,  owing,  I believe, 
to  the  death  of  one  of  the  king’s  relatives,  there 
is  a great  “ custom”  being  made  in  Coomassie, 
which  is  to  last  for  several  weeks,  and  in  which 
perhaps  one  hundred  and  fifty  or  two  hundred, 
or  perhaps  more,  will  unhappily,  by  this  cool, 
yet  blood-thirsty  religion  of  the  devil  lose  their 
lives.  Yet  far  be  it  from  us  to  be  discouraged. 
Other  tribes  and  other  people,  as  fierce  as  the 
fierce  Ashantee,  have  been  tamed  and  subdued, 
converted  and  evangelized,  by  the  preaching 
of  “ the  cross  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ.”  And 
does  lie  still  live?  Yea,  “he  everliveth.”  And 
are  his  will,  and  willingness,  and  power  the 
same  ? Without  controversy,  “ He  changeth 
not ;”  and  I delight,  even  on  African  ground,  to 


MISSIONS  IN  WESTERN  AFRICA.  13S 

remember,  that  it  is  declared — it  is  written  in 
the  volume  of  infallible  inspiration — that  the 
“ Gospel  of  the  kingdom  shall  be  preached  in 
all  the  vrorld,  for  a witness  unto  all  nations 
yea,  and  that  another  prophecy  of  the  same  vo- 
lume is,  “ The  kingdoms  of  this  world  shall 
become  the  kingdoms  of  our  God  and  of  his 
Christ.”  We  will  not,  then,  by  the  grace  of 
God,  be  - faint-hearted.  Rather,  we  will  be 
highly  animated  and  encouraged,  in  our  blessed 
and  soul-cheering  work.  The  Lord  has  ena- 
bled me  to  introduce  the  gospel  into  Eg-ga, 
(E-ga,)  a croom  (village)  on  the  beach  about  a 
mile  from  Annamaboe.  It  was  formerly  visited 
by  Mr.  Wrigley,  but  it  was  afterward  unvisit- 
ed, and  in  that  sense  neglected ; and  hence  the 
partial  success  gained  had  gradually  vanished 
away.  Mr.  Hesk  has  been  too  ill  to  visit  E-ga, 
so  that  the  interpreters  and  I have  had  it  to 
ourselves.  We  did  not  hold  regular  service, 
(this  would  have  been  premature,)  but  cate- 
chetical conversations ; and  the  effects  are 
pleasing  and  promising. 

At  present  I can  say  no  more  than  that  I am 
yours  obediently,  * 

William  Thackwrav. 


140 


MISSIONS  IN  WESTERN  AFRICA. 


Extract  of  a letter  from  Rev.  Thomas  B.  Freeman, 
dated  Cape  Coast  Castle,  Western  Africa, 
May  2 6th,  1841. 

I am  happy  to  inform  you  that  the  blessing 
of  God  is  resting  on  our  labours. 

On  Sunday,  May  1 6th,  our  chapel  at  Anna- 
maboe  was‘  re-opened  for  divine  worship.  The 
public  services  at  six,  A.  M.,  at  half-past  three, 
and  at  half-past  six,  P.  M.,  were  well  attended, 
and  found  to  be  very  delightful  means  of  grace. 
Mr.  Joseph  Smith  preached  in  the  morning 
and  evening,  and  Mr.  Walden  in  the  afternoon. 
According  to  our  previous  arrangements,  1 
should  have  preached  in  the  evening,  but  I was 
obliged  unexpectedly  to  leave  for  Cape  Coast 
about  six  o’clock;  and  to  relieve  Mr.  Walden 
(who  has  not  yet  had  his  seasoning)  from  too 
much  exertion,  Mr.  Smith  kindly  supplied  my 
place. 

The  collections,  including  a handsome  dona- 
tion of  £10  from  B.  Cruikshank,  Esq.,  the  com- 
mandant of  Annamaboe,  amounted  to  £22  Os. 
lid.,  currency.  The  feelings  of  our  society  at 
Annamaboe  were,  as  might  have  been  expect- 
ed, of  a very  peculiar  nature,  on  account  of  the 
trying  circumstances  under  which  they  have 
been  placed  by  the  injury  done  to  the  chapel 


MISSIONS  IN  WESTE.RN  AFRICA.  141 

first  by  fire,  and  afterward  by  the  rains.  Many 
a tear  was  shed,  and  many  a heart  lifted  up  to 
God  in  thankfulness  for  his  mercies  in  blessing 
the  labour  of  our  hands,  and  enabling  us  to 
bring  forth  the  topstone  with  joy. 

This  pretty  little  chapel  is  now,  I trust,  out 
of  all  danger  either  from  fire  or  rain  ; as  its  flat 
roof,  covered  with  stone,  renders  it  fire-proof ; 
and  the  stout  iron  pillars,  which  are  placed 
down  the  middle,  relieve  the  walls  so  much, 
that  we  have  nothing  to  fear  from  the  rains. 

I am  not  at  this  moment  prepared  to  state  the 
amount  of  expences  incurred  by  these  repairs  ; 
but  I trust,  by  the  zeal  and  liberality  of  our  so- 
cieties and  friends  here,  we  shall  be  able  to 
raise  a considerable  sum,  in  addition  to  that 
already  mentioned,  toward  the  defraying  of 
these  expenses. 

Since  I wrote  my  last,  Mrs.  Hesk  and  Mrs. 
Freeman  have  safely  passed  through  their  sea- 
soning fevers  ; for  which  we  praise  and  glorify 
God.  Mr.  Thackwray  is  now  residing  at  Do- 
manassie  ; and  is,  in  addition  to  his  other  im- 
portant duties,  busily  engaged  in  directing  the 
necessary  arrangements  for  the  model-farm. 

Mr.  Thackwray  has  not  yet  had  his  season- 
ing fever ; but  we  do  not  consider  that  he  is 
running  any  risk  in  going  so  far  into  the  interior 


142  MISSIONS  IN  WESTERN  AFRICA. 

at  so  early  a date.  From  past  experience,  I am 
fully  satisfied  that  the  interior  is,  in  many  re- 
spects, more  healthy  than  the  coast : almost 
every  thing,  however,  depends  on  the  proper  and 
judicious  care  of  our  health,  under  the  blessing 
of  God. 

Mr.  Brooking  is  still  at  Mansu,  and  enjoying 
excellent  health  ; much  better  than  he  has  ever 
had  before  since  his  arrival  on  the  station. 
From  accounts  just  received  from  him,  I learn 
that  our  mission-house  there  will  soon  be  fit  for 
occupation. 

Mr.  Hesk  left  us  in  a sickly  state  about  a 
month  ago,  to  try  the  effect  of  a voyage  to  sea  ; 
and  we  learned  a few  days  afterward,  that  the 
vessel  touched  at  Dix-Cove,  and  that  he  was 
better.  We  are  expecting  him  back  in  about  a 
fortnight ; and  trust  that  the  voyage  will  be,  un- 
der the  blessing  of  God,  the  means  of  restoring 
his  health. 

Mr.  Watson  is  still  prosecuting  his  labours 
at  Dix-Cove.  He  has  had  much  difficulty  in 
obtaining  a residence.  He  is  now  living  in  a 
house  not  at  all  adapted  for  the  residence  of  an 
European  ; and  we  shall  therefore  be  under  the 
necessity  of  building  a house  at  Dix-Cove  as 
early  as  possible.  We  have  selected  a piece 
of  ground  on  which  our  American  brother. 


MISSIONS  IN  WESTERN  AFRICA.  143 

Dr.  Savage,  intended  to  build,  before  the  board 
of  missions  with  which  he  is  connected  had 
decided  on  the  non-occupancy  of  Dix-Cove : 
and  I trust  these  preparatory  arrangements  will 
meet  with  the  approbation  of  the  committee. 

We  earnestly  beg  the  committee  to  send  us 
instructions  on  this  matter  as  early  as  possible, 
as  the  circumstances  under  which  we  are  placed 
will  not  admit  of  delay  on  our  part  without  a 
great  risk  respecting  Mr.  Watson’s  health.  As 
building  materials  are  cheap  at  Dix-Cove,  I 
think  we  might  build  a house  there  which  would 
answer  our  purpose  very  well  for  about  j£450 
sterling.  I expect  to  pay  Mr.  Watson  a visit  in 
a short  time,  after  which  I will  write  again  on 
the  subject. 

Mr.  Shipman  gives  a very  pleasing  account 
of  their  prospects  at  British  Accra. 

Mr.  De  Graft’s  appointment  to  Winnebah  is 
very  satisfactory  to  the  people,  both  Christians 
and  heathens  ; and  I trust  the  Lord  will  abund- 
antly bless  his  labours  among  them. 

I am  preparing  to  leave  Cape  Coast  for  Abassa 
to-morrow,  where  I expect  to  meet  Mr.  Thack- 
wray  on  Sunday  next,  and  to  assist  in  opening 
our  little  chapel  there.  Abassa  is  about  forty 
miles  from  Cape  Coast,  and  about  twenty  miles 
from  Domanassie, 


144  MISSIONS  IN  WESTERN  AFRICA. 

In  every  part  of  the  mission  our  prospects 
are  encouraging.  A second  pleasing  message 
from' the  king  of  Ashantee,  in  which  he  informs 
us  that  he  will  be  very  glad  to  see  us  in  Coo- 
massie,  leads  us  to  trust  and  believe , that  the 
Lord  is  going  before  us,  and  opening  our  way 
among  that  benighted  people. 

We  are  now  making  all  necessary  prepara- 
tions for  our  journey  to  Coomassie  after  the 
rains  ; and  leave  all  events  in  the  hands  of  that 
Almighty  Being  who  hath  said,  “ Go  ye  into 
all  the  world,  and  preach  the  gospel  to  every 
creature and,  “ Lo,  I am  with  you  always 
even  unto  the  end  of  the  world.” 


THE  END. 


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